Tension flared at Awutu Prison Junction as angry youth clashed with military and police officers over disputed land ownership, sparking a heated altercation in the suburb of Kasoa.
Reports indicate that the soldiers involved were allegedly dispatched from the Jubilee House, the seat of the Ghanaian government.
Sources from Citi News reveal that a search report from the Lands Commission unveiled a contentious scenario, with part of the land in question attributed to a developer, while another portion is claimed by an individual identified as Benlord Ababio, also known as Nana Barimah.
Speaking to the media amidst the commotion, Benlord Ababio asserted that he had purchased the disputed parcel of land in 2008, despite facing pressure from the developer to sell a portion, which he declined.
Ababio recounted a previous encounter where the developer, accompanied by police officers, allegedly encroached on the land, leading to his intervention resulting in an arrest.
The conflict reignited on this occasion, with the developer returning to the site in the company of military and police officers purportedly from the Jubilee House. This move triggered a confrontation with enraged local youth disputing the land's ownership.
Asserting his rights, Ababio stated, “The developer encroached on my land again, this time with military and police personnel purportedly from the Jubilee House. I have petitioned the authorities for intervention, but the developer failed to engage in discussions.”
Expressing concern over the involvement of uniformed personnel in personal disputes, Alhaji Mohammed Musuh, Ababio's brother, criticized the utilization of Jubilee House resources for private operations, branding it detrimental to the government's reputation.
“We have evidence indicating the developer's partial ownership, but his attempt to claim the entire 11 acres is unjustifiable. We stand firm in our ownership rights, and the youth are mobilized against any illegitimate actions,” Alhaji Mohammed Musuh, also known as “94,” affirmed.
Following the altercation, police personnel from the Central East Regional Police Command were swiftly deployed to restore calm and maintain order in the area.
The clash underscores the complexity and tensions surrounding land disputes in Ghana, highlighting the need for transparent resolution mechanisms to prevent escalation and promote peaceful coexistence.
