Recent events in the country have once again thrust the activities and operations of “landguards” into the spotlight, highlighting the urgent need for decisive action to address the disturbing problem.
The shocking incident in Kasoa, Central Region, where “landguards” brazenly shot an officer of the Ghana Armed Forces over land disputes, serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by these criminal elements.
For many Ghanaians, the term “landguards” evokes fear and frustration, as it represents a pervasive threat to property rights and personal safety.
The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare in sharing his personal experience with “landguards” in the country bemoaned the alarming rate of their activities and operations and called for urgent state actions.
In his harrowing accounts, Mr. Asare recounted how he has lost several valuable land parcels in places including New Legon and Old Ashongman due to the activities and operation of landgaurds
These incidents, occurring over a span of years, Mr Asare noted underscore the persistent and evolving nature of the activities and operation of landguard in the country.
“In 2006, I bought two plots of land at New Legon; lost them to ‘landguards’. A plot of land in that area costs about GHC 500,000 today. In 2007, I exchanged my only Geo Prizm car for a plot of land at Old Ashongman.
“I lost the land and over 2,000 blocks on site to ‘landguards’ who came and sprayed live bullets, injuring one of the masons. Land in that particular area goes for about GHC 400,000 today”.
Kofi Asare
He stated that what began as a localized issue involving “delinquent youth” has transformed into a sophisticated and organized criminal enterprise with far-reaching implications.
Landguards Wields Established Connections
One particularly alarming aspect highlighted by Mr. Asare is the increasingly sophisticated arsenal wielded by landguards, coupled with their well-established connections.
This combination of firepower and influence, he noted poses a significant challenge to law enforcement efforts and underscores the need for a coordinated and robust response from the state.
The social activist in calling for action, stressed the need for the government to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the structure, activities and operations of landguards, emphasizing the urgency of devising strategies to dismantle them.
He further urged the government to set up a Commission of Inquiry with the mandate to look into the activities and operation of landguards and further develop strategies to dismantle their networks in the country.
In light of the escalating violence and criminality associated with the activities and operation of “landguards,” it is therefore imperative for the state to take decisive action to clampdown their operation.
The menace of landguards without doubt represents a clear and present danger to the security and prosperity of Ghanaian citizens.
The state must heed the impassioned calls of individuals like Kofi Asare and take decisive action to root out this scourge from the society.
The government must therefore take measures to strictly enforce Section 12 of the new Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which criminalizes the activities of individuals who use unlawful means to exert control over land they have no legitimate claim to.
Strengthening the legal framework to hold landguards accountable for their actions is a crucial step in curbing their impunity and restoring confidence in the land tenure system.
Failure to do so not only embolden such criminal elements in the country but also jeopardizes the rights and livelihoods of individuals as well as undermining the rule of law and eroding trust in institutions.
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