The traditional authorities of Akwamu State have pledged their support for the government’s efforts to reclaim and protect state lands around the Akosombo Dam, countering recent media reports suggesting otherwise.
Aaron Kwabena Packeys, with the stool name Nana Akonnor Bekai Ababio V, Osomanyawa (Chief Administrator) and second-in-command of Akwamu, speaking at the 4th Akwasidae celebration held at the Bogyawe Palace in Akwamufie under the leadership of Omanhene Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, clarified that the Akwamu traditional leadership supports the mandate given to Clemence Gyato, the government-appointed consultant in charge of safeguarding encroached state lands.
“We saw some publications in the media that the Akwamu people have stated that we won’t support the work that the government has tasked Clemence Gyato with regarding the government land issues, which is very false,” Nana Bekai said.
“We have never said that. We support the work that the government has tasked Clemence Gyato with on the land issues and also demand an apology from the newspaper that published such information.”
Nana Bekai, who also serves as the Ayokohene, Mankrado of Akwamuman, and Guantoahene of Akwamu, emphasized that the Akosombo Dam sits on lands originally given to the government by the Akwamu people.
“Akwamu gave the land to the government and took possession of some lands to protect the dam, but now that all development around the dam is complete, the remaining lands that were taken from us must be returned to the allodial owners, the chiefs of Akwamu.”
He further expressed concern over increasing land encroachment, allegedly involving private developers and even some officials. “The Lands Commission and some individuals have been selling parts of those lands. These are stool lands and must return to the rightful traditional custodians.”
According to Nana Bekai, the government did not pay any compensation for the lands acquired during the Akosombo Dam construction, and he urged the state to rectify this historical oversight.
“The government needs to pay what is due. The project is completed, and the government couldn’t exhaust all the lands taken from Akwamuman; the rest need to be returned to the chiefs,” he insisted.
Clemence Gyato, the consultant leading the fight against government land encroachment, reaffirmed the partnership between the traditional authority and the state.
“When I came, the chief also said he has seen the illegal developments and is willing to help us fight the cause,” Gyato said. “We have some documentation about people building along the riverbank who claim chiefs sold the land to them, but Nana has promised to assist in conducting a proper inventory.”
Gyato also warned that unauthorized structures built on state lands near the river would be demolished, regardless of their stage of completion. “If you take the land in the wrong way and build around the river, we will demolish it. We will build a camp in this vicinity and make sure we patrol the area.”
The celebration was attended by several dignitaries, including Thomas Ampem Nyarko, Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman and Deputy Minister of Finance, and Abigail Elorm Akwambea, CEO of MASLOC.
Source: Bernard K Dadzie, Greater Accra Region
