The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KOANS Building Solutions, Mr. Kofi Anokye has advised Okyehene, Osagyego Amoatia Oforipanyin to respectfully stay away from already sold Akim Abuakwa Stool Lands.
According to Mr. Anokye, it will be appropriate for Okyehene to investigate issues concerning Lands in the area so he can allow legitimate owners to develop their properties without harassment and attacks.
Mr Anokye expressed concern about how Developers including himself have been prevented from developing their legally acquired lands from the Traditional authorities in the area for years.
“My plea seeks to help solve the raging land litigations between the Akim Abuakwa Paramount Chief and some of his sub chiefs on one side and investors who have purchased lands on the other. The objective is to tell the history of the famous Akim Abuakwah stool lands and how it was occupied by some of the then chiefs. I believe if properly read and applied, it will help mitigate most of the needless litigations because these records have been there for over a century and hence come with credibility. As such, no one can pretend not to see the glaring facts as long as they are public knowledge and the sources verifiable” he disclosed.
According to Mr. Anokye, during the reign of the Late Sir Nana Ofori Atta (I) (the then Omanhene of Akim Abuakwa), one of the famous and intelligent Kings mother Ghana has ever had decided to undertake a remarkable exercise to ascertain ownership of the very lands being contended today, adding it was a praiseworthy initiative because the late King wanted the right thing done so that he doesn’t step into the boundaries of others.
He also underscored the need for Okyehene emulate Dr. J.B.DANQUAH of blessed memory and others and investigate the history and the extent of lands legally under his jurisdiction.
“I do not want to single out anyone of the chiefs as being the greatest culprit in the sale of land, but in order that you have a concrete example of how rapidly mother Abuakwa is being dismembered, I should like you to recall that about 98% of the land from Densu at Nsawam to Densuso (Apedwa) has been sold out absolutely and for all times, Land to the left and right of Nsawam road to a distance of 10 to 25 miles on either side of the road have been sold out” Mr. Anokye stated.
Mr. Anokye further said “The same tale can be told of the Northern boundary of the state roundabout Asuom; and you are of course aware that the town of Oda (Capital of the west Akim) and surroundings villages are situating on land sold by Akim Abuakwa”.
“The Chief of Apapam in selling lands outright to migrant cocoa farmers and most of the large areas so alienated before or about 1914 were situated far away from Asamankese town, towards the southern boundaries of the area, he noted.
He also noted that as for availability of land in southern Akim Abuakwa, the position in 1918 was that the chiefs of Apapam and Apedwa had sold nearly all that they had ( other than the little retained by their own people), though much of the land that had been sold remained, as yet, unplanted with cocoa.
“It is unambiguously clear that almost all the lands belonging to mother Akim Abuakwa have been sold outright and for all times way back in 1928 with the exception of few ones on which the inheritance occupied” Mr. Anokye further informed.
He indicated that to obtain an unimpeachable title to Stool Land in Akim Abuakwa, it is necessary first to acquire an option over the land from the chief of the town or village owing the stool by which such Land is immediately held and then obtain the sanction and approval of the Paramount Chief.
“As development keeps catching up with the southern portion of the said stool lands and with just a few portions left, it is important that the current Paramount chief re-strategize in order to avoid unwarranted litigations. My little experience haven dealt with some of the land owners already reveals that, there has been several judgements mostly delivered by their predecessors ( The Late Sir Nana Ofori Atta) in favour of some of these purchasers and for that matter reinventing the wheels will be counterproductive” he disclosed.
He further underscored the need for a diplomatic collaborations between the parties involved in order that there will be a win – win situation, saying that any attempt to forcefully collect lands from some of these people may lead to a state of anarchy and can hinder development within the said area and potentially loss of human lives and properties and other precious resources.
“I have also observe with similar concern that some of the chiefs are still giving out the little lands left in their possession as FREE HOLD instead of say LEASE HOLDS. With all the due respect, kindly hold back both your RESIDUAL and REVERSAL INTEREST as supported by the law else posterity will judge you badly just as previous chiefs in the area are judged for their lack of foresight when selling the lands” he stated.
According to him, there will be continuous litigations in an attempt to fight back especially now that infrastructural development seems to catch up the area, adding that the only way out to succeed is to sit down with the people currently owning them and to enter into agreement that will benefit both parties in the short and long term so that this all important Kingdom will continue to exist and thrive.
