The Odai-Ntow Family of Ashongman in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region has threatened to cite the executive secretary of the Lands Commission and its subsidiaries, the Survey and Mapping Division and Land Title Division, for contempt.
This is as a result of the failure of these decisions to inform the family about court documents presented to the two organizations by the members of the Apenteng Family before embarking on the boundary demarcation exercise conducted last week.
Addressing a Press Conference at Ashongman on Monday, July 31, 2023, the head of the Odaw-Ntow Family, Nii Aryerfio II, with support from family members, revealed that the document presented by the Apenteng family to the Lands Commission for the boundary demarcation had been quashed by the Supreme Court.
The ruling, dated May 24, 2023, was titled “The Republic versus the High Court ex-parte MC Similar Co. Ltd. and two others presided over by Lovelace-Johnson JSC, Tanko Amadu JSC, Yonny Kulendi JSC, Ackah-Yensu JSC, and Koomson JJSC.
The head of the Odai-Ntow family challenged the Land Commission to produce documents that was presented to them by the other parties in the suit.
He raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the boundary demarcation exercise, insinuating that it may have been influenced by bribery.
The family expressed distress over the fact that they were not informed about the demarcation process and alleged that individuals they believe were from the commission conducted the exercise without their knowledge or consent.
He also asserted that the boundary demarcation has emboldened members of the Nii Ngleshi family to lay claim to Ashongman lands.
They stated that the Nii Ngleshie family, who had been defeated in court on several occasions, are now relying on a ruling of the High Court that had been quashed by the Supreme Court to make claims to lands that were bought by the Presbyterian Church over two hundred years ago.
Nii Aryerfio II warned anyone claiming to have documents signed by an Ashongman chief to be cautious of their actions, emphasizing that Ashongman does not have a recognized chief.
The family, he disclosed is determined to take legal action against the Land Commission, Survey and Mapping Division and the Title Division if their concerns are not addressed and if they find any contemptuous actions in the boundary demarcation process.
The Traditional Leader also informed that Old Ashongman has no chief as at now and for that matter any documents with signatures bearing the name of a chief of the area is fraudulent.
On his part, the Zonal Council Chairman of Ga East Assembly and member of the Odaw-Ntow family, Mr. Emmanuel Tettey Odai said all court documents ranging from circuit court to the Supreme Court by the Apenteng family indicates that out of the 100 % of their lands layouts in the area, the various courts have affirmed that 60% of these lands belongs to the Odai-Ntow family.
“So we don’t know why the Akublay people are now claiming ownership of the cemetery, the Presbyterian Church and the school lands in the area, vandalizing property and threatening to sack all the occupants on the land.
“We are therefore appealing to the President, the Inspector General of Police, the Interior Ministry, the National Intelligence Bureau and to immediately deploy men to the area to arrest miscreants terrorizing residents and avert any blood bath,” Mr. Odai stated.
