Fear continues to grip Okanta, a small farming community in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality of the Eastern Region. Residents were stunned to see an Excavator on site with armed men grading their farmlands.
However, the helpless residents would not let go without a fight, they gathered in their numbers, both adults, young, and the aged to confront the “encroachers”. The residents alleged that a private developer took ownership of their farmlands without consent or compensation through dubious means. They vowed to fight and protect their farmlands and investments, be it at the expense of their lives since taking their source of livelihood renders their lives meaningless.
Adorned with red headbands, a traditional symbol of war or danger, they expressed their determination not to relinquish ownership of the disputed parcel of lands. They demanded documents from the excavator and the armed men. Some of the rifle-wielding men were reported to be clothed in bulletproof vests with police NFPU insignias boldly inscribed on them.
The NFPU (National Formed Police Unit) is a special unit within the police service that is designed to address serious security threats. Rightly so, if confirmed, their presence would raise eyebrows, and certainly, many questions would ensue.
In an interview with a local media entity, the aggrieved residents called on the Inspector General of Police Dr. Akuffo Dampare to rescue them as they felt besieged. They further appealed for the intervention of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).
Broader Implications
The situation is not confined to Okanta alone, this incident is one too many within the country. Activities of land guards and encroachment of farmlands have intensified in recent times.
The situation is even more difficult in the cocoa-growing belt of the country, where farmlands are either sold to illegal Gold Miners due to its attractive short-term returns or by collusion; poor farmers are forcefully or dubiously dispossessed of their source of livelihood.
Situations and occurrences like these if not checked, could endanger the food security of the country. The 2023 food insecurity report by Ghana Statistical Services indicated that about 8.4 million hovering around 24.5% of the population went a day without food.
Challenges And Reforms.
To address the problems associated with land acquisition, ownership, and registration in the country, the Lands Commission has been digitalized. This is being touted as a solution to multiple sales of land by one person which used to be the case in the past.
Another crucial area that needs attention is probably litigation. Land litigation in Ghana is a very lengthy and costly process. Cases could languish in courts for years. Often than not, it is the poor and vulnerable who have their lands grabbed and can barely confront the encroacher as this incident at Okanta shows.
Despite the economic difficulties, the demand for low-cost and affordable housing is on the rise. The Ghanaian middle class is growing and globalizing hence its quest for classy and cozy apartments. Taping into this desire for comfort, the real estate sector has seen massive growth and investments.
Lately, some allegations of collusion between the sector and landguards have surfaced and must be investigated. Experts have called for a strong collaboration between the sector Ministry, Traditional authorities, Judiciary, and other stakeholders to find a solution to the existing problem.
Meanwhile, on Okanta, the private Developer Koan Buildings Solution through its CEO Kofi Anokye denies the claim of the aggrieved residents. He claims that the issue is in court already.
