Unknown armed men have destroyed a new NDC office complex under construction at Awiaso Junction in the Ellembelle District, amid a growing dispute over ownership of the land.
The attack, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of May 7, saw the assailants wielding guns and machetes as they demolished portions of the facility estimated to cost about GH¢1 million.
The District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Joseph Armah Agyekum, condemned the incident, describing the action as unlawful and unacceptable.
Speaking to journalists at the project site near Aiyinasi, he stressed that no individual or group had the authority to pull down any structure except through lawful means sanctioned by the courts or the District Security Council (DISEC), which he chairs.
According to the DCE, the disputed land was purchased in 2017 by the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, from the late Chief Nana Boadi at a reported cost of GH¢20,000 per plot.
However, after the chief’s death, the Awiaso royal family challenged the legitimacy of the sale, insisting the land had not been properly transferred.
Mr Agyekum said the matter was initially taken to court but was later withdrawn for settlement through an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process.
He explained that in a bid to avoid prolonged litigation, the NDC agreed to repay for the land and also accepted conditions set by the royal family, including the employment of local youth on the project, support for the construction of a palace, and payment of annual royalties.
The DCE alleged that after a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed, the royal family introduced an additional demand that the NDC and the MP facilitate the gazetting of King Kaku Aka III as Overlord of Nzema land.
According to him, the demand fell outside the authority of both the party and the MP.
He further claimed the structure had been targeted on previous occasions since construction works began.
Meanwhile, the Ellembelle NDC Constituency Chairman, Alex Mahama, has warned against further acts of vandalism, cautioning that persons involved could face arrest and prosecution if apprehended.
Source: GNA
