Committee to investigate Vakpo and Vakpo-Dunyo dispute

Ho, June 28, GNA - The Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) is to set up a committee to investigate the feud developing over land between the people of Vakpo and Vakpo-Dunyo in the Kpando District. Vakpo-Dunyo is a settler community and moved into land acquired by government under an executive instrument about 40 years ago. They were displaced as a result of the construction of the Akosombo Hydro Electric Dam.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi, the Volta Regional Minister, announced the formation of the committee at a meeting with the two sides in Ho on Tuesday.

The representatives of the Volta River Authority (VRA) also attended the meeting.

Mr Dzamesi said names of members of the committee would be announced within three weeks and said that acts of lawlessness would not be tolerated in the area.

Police are investigating the recent death of Alphonse Dzembre, a resident of the Vakpo-Dunyo in the disputed area, to find out if it was linked to the conflict.

The people of Vakpo claim to own the land and want it back because no compensation had been paid for it.

Togbe Gbogbolulu V, Paramount Chief of the Vakpo Traditional Area was spokesman for the people of Vakpo, while Mr Fedelis Dzontoh, an Assembly Member, spoke for the Vakpo-Dunyo community. Mr Kofi Asante, Director Real Estates of the VRA, said some compensation was paid for the land that was legally acquired by the government under an executive instrument.

Mr Emmanuel Martey, Corporate Manager, Real Estates, VRA, explained that legal title for all lands acquired by government for the resettlement of communities displaced by the creation of the dam was vested in government.

He said land acquired at Vakpo was in three categories; resettlement, farming and commercial use, under which room was made for future expansion.