GA-Dangme Council condemns unlawful attempts to eject settlers at Okanta

Background

The Ga-Dangme Council has expressed grave concern over disturbing reports and circulating videos showing unlawful actions and threats against Ga-Dangme settlers at Okanta in the Eastern Region of Ghana. According to the Council, certain individuals claiming to be indigenes of the area are attempting to forcibly eject Ga-Dangme families who have peacefully lived and occupied the land for nearly two hundred years.

These developments, the Council notes, threaten not only the safety of lives and property but also the long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among communities in the area.

Historical presence of Ga-Dangme Families in Okanta

The Ga-Dangme people affected by the threats trace their ancestry to the Greater Accra Region. Historical accounts indicate that their forebears lawfully migrated to Okanta generations ago, settled on the land, and established permanent homes long before the present generation.

For close to two centuries, these families have lived without dispute, contributing significantly to agriculture, commerce, and social development in Okanta. Their occupation and possession of the land have been continuous, peaceful, and uncontested until the recent incidents.

Condemnation of intimidation and alleged illegal motives

The Ga-Dangme Council has unequivocally condemned what it describes as unlawful, intimidating, and reckless conduct by individuals seeking to dislodge the settlers through threats, harassment, and acts of force.

The Council further alleges that the attempted evictions are aimed at clearing the land for galamsey (illegal mining) activities. It stresses that such actions are not only morally reprehensible but also clearly illegal under the laws of Ghana.

Constitutional and legal protections emphasized

In its statement, the Council reminded all parties that Article 18(1) of the 1992 Constitution guarantees every person the right to own property, either individually or in association with others, and protects citizens from arbitrary deprivation of property.

Additionally, Article 20 of the Constitution strictly prohibits compulsory acquisition of property except in accordance with due process of law. The Council also referenced the long-established legal principle of adverse possession and peaceful occupation, which is recognized under Ghanaian statutory law and upheld by the courts.

The Council pointed out that mere claims of indigeneity or unilateral declarations cannot extinguish such legally recognized rights.

Relevance of the Land Act, 2020

The Ga-Dangme Council further cited the Land Act, 2020, which recognizes the rights of settlers who have occupied land for up to fifty years. Given that the Okanta settlers have lived on the land for far longer, the Council insists that their rights are even more firmly grounded in law.

It stressed that any land-related disputes must be resolved through the courts of competent jurisdiction or, where appropriate, through recognized traditional authorities—not through vigilantism or force.

Human rights and non-discrimination concerns

Beyond property rights, the Council warned that the actions in Okanta violate fundamental human rights enshrined in the Constitution. Article 15(1), which guarantees the dignity of all persons, and Article 17, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity or place of origin, are reportedly being infringed upon.

The Council cautioned that targeting people based on their ethnic background undermines national unity and the rule of law.

Calls for immediate Intervention

In response to the escalating situation, the Ga-Dangme Council has called on several institutions to act swiftly:

• The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and law enforcement agencies to intervene immediately to maintain peace and protect lives and property at Okanta.
• The National and Eastern Regional Houses of Chiefs to ensure that customary authority is not misused to justify unlawful actions.
• Opinion leaders and traditional authorities in Okanta to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue in the interest of peaceful coexistence.

Commitment to Peace and Legal Action

While reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and lawful engagement, the Ga-Dangme Council made it clear that it will not hesitate to pursue all lawful and constitutional avenues to protect the rights, dignity, and ancestral heritage of Ga-Dangme people wherever they reside in Ghana.

The Council emphasized that no citizen of the Republic should be treated as a stranger on land their forebears have peacefully occupied for generations.

Signed:
Hon. J. Ayikoi Otoo
President, Ga-Dangme Council

Date: December 14, 2025