Public urged to protect state property for smooth transition

A land governance advisor and legal practitioner, Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie has called on Ghanaians to help protect and preserve state property and official documents during the transition.  

That, he said, would help facilitate a smooth shift of power.

Gad Asorwoe Akwensivie, who made the call on December 25, 2024, during a meeting with journalists at the University of Ghana, Legon, expressed concern about the spate of destruction of government property during the transition phase.

Akwensivie recounted recent incidents of unlawful removal and destruction of property at government installations. 

He cited the arrest of four persons for removing materials from the Agenda-111 Hospital site at Awutu Bereku in the Central Region, the vandalising of state vehicles at Parliament House, the destruction of the Electoral Commission office and the District Chief Executive’s residence at Damongo in the North East Region, the removal of property from the School Feeding Project warehouse in Tamale in the Northern Region, and the recent fire outbreak at Saglemi on 24th December 2024, which destroyed valuable property in the storage area of the Saglemi Housing Project site, as some notable incidents.

Akwensivie called on the police, private security service providers, and the general public—particularly public officers—to remain extra vigilant during the transition phase and thereafter to help protect and preserve state property.

He advised personnel at government installations to learn about the different kinds of fire extinguishers, and procure and keep them within easy reach to combat fires whenever they start.

He also recommended the installation of smoke detectors in government buildings to aid in the early detection of fires.

“It behoves on us as citizens to protect state property,” he added.