The Loafe Clan of Anlo has petitioned the office of the President John Dramani Mahama, urging his immediate intervention to halt the alleged illegal sale and processing of clan lands in Keta. The petition, signed by the Head of the Loafe Clan, raises serious concerns about what is described as the unlawful appropriation and sale of their ancestral lands under the guise of state authority.
The petition references a recent directive issued by the President, which ordered the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission to cease all sales and processing of state lands and report back within 14 days. Building on this directive, the Loafe Clan highlights instances of land misappropriation and alleged abuse of state power, particularly during the period from 2017 to 2024.
Allegations of Illegal Land Sales
According to the petition, approximately 1,000 acres of the Loafe Clan’s land, situated in Keta, were unlawfully taken over during the previous administration. The alleged sales were reportedly spearheaded by various Keta Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs), including Emmanuel Gemegah.
The clan accuses Mr. Gemegah and the Municipal Assembly of indiscriminately parceling out and selling the reclaimed land to members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and unsuspecting members of the public. They further allege that the proceeds from these sales were distributed among private individuals, officials at the Lands Commission, and unnamed “traditional authorities.”
Legal Action and Ongoing Concerns
The Loafe Clan initiated a legal suit at the High Court in Sogakope in December 2023, naming the Keta Municipal Assembly and Mr. Gemegah as defendants. Despite entering an appearance in court, the defendants have yet to file a defense explaining their claim over the clan land or the authority to manage and sell it.
The petition also accuses the Keta Municipal Assembly of publicly misrepresenting the land as state property. This, the clan asserts, has emboldened buyers to develop the land, further complicating efforts to reclaim it.
Requests for Investigation
The Loafe Clan’s petition calls on the President to:
- Investigate the legal basis for the Keta Municipal Assembly’s assumption of ownership over the reclaimed land.
- Identify the beneficiaries of the proceeds from the land sales, including individuals within the Lands Commission who allegedly received a share of the funds.
- Uncover the identities of the so-called “traditional authorities” who reportedly received 40% of the proceeds.
- Examine the role of the Keta Divisional Police Command, which the clan alleges has acted in complicity by arresting legitimate landowners entering the disputed property.
A Plea for Justice
The clan describes the situation as a “create, loot, and share” scheme orchestrated under the guise of state authority. They argue that the actions of the Keta Municipal Assembly amount to organized crime and demand immediate action to prevent further injustice.
The Loafe Clan concludes their petition with an urgent plea for the President’s intervention to halt the sales, address the alleged misconduct, and restore their ancestral land.
Previous Events.
A few weeks ago, some unknown men were seen demolishing some structures on the same land for what they describe as unauthorised developments despite calls to halt all activities on the land. A development which later resulted in a misunderstanding between them and some public members, a matter which is currently before a court.
This unfolding controversy has reignited debates about land governance in Ghana, particularly the tension between state and traditional land ownership. All eyes are now on the presidency for decisive action to address these pressing concerns.
