Unknown armed individuals have destroyed a new National Democratic Congress (NDC) office complex under construction at Awiaso Junction in the Ellembelle District, amidst an escalating dispute regarding the ownership of the land.
The assault, which reportedly took place in the early hours of May 7, involved the assailants brandishing firearms and machetes as they dismantled parts of the facility, which is estimated to cost around GH¢1 million.
Joseph Armah Agyekum, the District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, condemned the act, labeling it as unlawful and intolerable.
In a statement to journalists at the project site near Aiyinasi, he emphasized that no person or group possesses the right to demolish any structure except through legal means authorized by the courts or the District Security Council (DISEC), which he leads.
The DCE noted that the contested land was acquired in 2017 by Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, from the late Chief Nana Boadi for a reported price of GH¢20,000 per plot.
However, following the chief’s passing, the Awiaso royal family contested the validity of the sale, asserting that the land had not been properly transferred.
Mr. Agyekum stated that the issue was initially brought before the court but was subsequently withdrawn for resolution through an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process.
He clarified that in an effort to prevent extended litigation, the NDC consented to reimburse for the land and also accepted conditions imposed by the royal family, which included the employment of local youth on the project, assistance in constructing a palace, and the payment of annual royalties.
The DCE alleged that after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, the royal family introduced an additional requirement that the NDC and the MP facilitate the gazetting of King Kaku Aka III as the Overlord of Nzema land.
He asserted that this demand exceeded the authority of both the party and the MP.
Furthermore, he claimed that the structure had been targeted on previous occasions since the commencement of construction activities.
Meanwhile, the Ellembelle NDC Constituency Chairman, Alex Mahama, has cautioned against further acts of vandalism, warning that persons involved could face arrest and prosecution if arrested.
