Vakpo Traditional Council cautions VRA about Dzogbega land

Accra, May 17, GNA - Togbe Gbogbolulu V, Paramount Chief of Vakpo Traditional Area in the Volta Region, on Wednesday cautioned the Management of the Volta River Authority (VRA) about the unauthorized use of a tract of land in the area.

"The Vakpo Traditional Council has re-entered the land and has made grants and would resist any attempt to dislodge any of its grantees," Togbe Gbogbolulu said when the Council called on VRA to petition them about the land.

The petition follows a letter written by VRA to the Vakpo Dunyo resettlement town leadership claiming ownership of the land. He said the land was acquired by LI 129 of 1969 but no compensation was paid to the Council.

Togbe Gbogbolulu noted that the land called the Dzobgbega land had never belonged to any individual or family but had always belonged to the Vakpo Traditional Council.

"For the avoidance of doubt we say that we have already had correspondence with the VRA and the District Chief Executive of Kpando on the purported compulsory acquisition of the Vakpo Dzogbega lands and you will do well to update yourself with the correspondence and advise yourself accordingly," the Chief said.

Ametsitsi Simon Cha, the Chief's Spokesman, warned settlers not to farm on the land without permission from the Paramount Chief and the Council since the land belonged to the community and not VRA. Ms Abla Fiadjoe, Acting Corporate Affairs Manager of VRA, who received the petition, said VRA would take swift action on the case and get back to the Council.