Atomic lands dispute: Kwabenya Traditional Council seeks Mahama’s intervention

Kwabenya Traditional Council’s appeal

The ongoing land dispute at Atomic has escalated, with the Kwabenya Traditional Council now seeking direct intervention from President John Dramani Mahama. The council, led by Nii Ayi Ana Konteh I, Ga Abola Piam Tunma We, has raised serious concerns regarding the allocation of land in the Atomic Energy enclave. They allege that Ghana Atomic Energy has been giving out land to individuals without consulting the relevant traditional authorities, a situation the council believes has led to exploitation and unfair land distribution.

Accusations of political favoritism

In a recent press conference, the Kwabenya Traditional Council accused individuals from the previous government of using their political connections to unlawfully acquire land within the Atomic Energy enclave. According to Nii Ayi Ana Konteh I, the land in question had originally been allocated to the Nii Odai Ntow family during the administration of former President John Kufuor. The traditional leaders claim that the land’s distribution was not handled properly in subsequent years, leading to what they describe as the illegal acquisition of property by powerful individuals.

Call for investigation and presidential action

The council has urged President Mahama to launch an investigation into the individuals who have obtained land in Atomic without the necessary backing of the royal family. In a bold suggestion, Nii Ayi Ana Konteh I recommended that the president assign a new contract to his own brother, who he believes has the necessary competence to address the situation. The traditional leader’s call reflects a growing frustration with the ongoing dispute and the perceived mishandling of the land’s allocation.

Naa Korkoi Dugbatey’s confidence in presidential intervention

Naa Korkoi Dugbatey II, the Queen Mother of Kwabenya, expressed confidence that President Mahama would take their concerns seriously and act to resolve the land dispute. She emphasized that the matter requires urgent attention, particularly in investigating the alleged looting of Atomic lands. According to the Queen Mother, the investigation should not only focus on individuals but also extend to public officials, including Speaker of Parliament Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin. Naa Korkoi Dugbatey II pointed out that parliamentarians may have played a role in the illegal land acquisitions.

Judicial developments in the land Dispute

The Kwabenya Traditional Council’s call for intervention comes at a time when the true boundaries of the Nii Odai Ntow family lands at Kwabenya have been clearly established. A landmark judgment by an Accra High Court in 2023 ordered the Survey and Mapping Division of the Lands Commission to assist in determining the common boundary between the involved parties. This legal decision has been hailed as a crucial step in resolving the long-standing land dispute in the region and providing clarity on ownership.

Seeking a lasting solution

The Kwabenya Traditional Council’s appeal to President Mahama underscores the urgency for a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Atomic land dispute. With various stakeholders, including the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, involved, the matter is complex. However, the council believes that with the president’s intervention and proper investigation, the issue can be resolved in a way that respects the traditional land rights of the Kwabenya people and brings an end to the ongoing tensions.

As the matter continues to unfold, all eyes will be on President Mahama and the government’s response to the Kwabenya Traditional Council’s plea for justice.