The construction of the much touted National Cathedral project is likely to hit a roadblock as a family-Nii Odoitso Odoi Family-which claims to be the allodia owners of lands stretching from Achimota through Nima (Akanetso), Roman Ridge, Ridge, Cantonments, La and Osu, is demanding compensation.
“I write to express the Family’s objection to the decision by the State, acting through the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, to take possession of the said parcel of land at Ridge for the construction of the National Cathedral. The leadership of the Family does not agree with the change of the original purpose for the acquisition. The leadership of the Family also wishes to bring attention to the fact that no compensation has been paid by the State to the Family since the land was compulsorily acquired in 1931,” Lawyer for the family, Kofi Antwi Abankwa Esq. stated in a letter dated 9th March 2021, addressed to the Board of Trustees and copied to the presidency and many other institutions.
The leadership of the Family says it does not agree with the change of the original purpose for the acquisition, and that no compensation has been paid by the State to the Family since the land was compulsorily acquired in 1931, adding that “Committing to the original purpose for which the land was acquired is dependent on the State’s payment of appropriate compensation to the leadership of the Family.”
“The leadership of the Family will be compelled to take the necessary steps to reclaim the land from the State if the original purpose for the acquisition is not adhered to, and, even if that is adhered to but no compensation is paid to the Family,” the petition stated.
It would be recalled that the design for the project, which has been costed at around $100m, and was produced by the British–Ghanaian architect David Adjaye last year.
That design envisaged a cathedral containing a number of chapels, a baptistery, a music school, a choir rehearsal, a grand central hall and an auditorium with 5,000 seats. There would also be an art gallery and Africa’s first Bible museum.
For the project to see the light of day, Passport Office and houses occupied by 14 court of appeal judges in Accra were being demolished and relocated to create a 70,000 sq m plot for the project.
Read the full unedited letter from Kofi Antwi Abankwa Esq:
OBJECTION TO THE USE OF THE RIDGE LAND FOR A NATIONAL CATHEDRAL-ACCRA
It has come to the attention of the leadership of the Nii Odoitso Odoi Family that the parcel of land under consideration for the construction of the National Cathedral forms part of land belonging to the Family which was previously acquired by the state through compulsory acquisition.
The Nii Odoitso Odoi Kwao Family holds the Allodial ownership of all that parcel of land stretching from Achimota through Nima (Akanetso), Roman Ridge, Ridge, Cantonments, La and Osu. Ownership of this stretch of land by the Nii Odoitso Odoi Kwao family, also known as the Nii Odoi Kwao family, has been confirmed by many court decisions on cases that have been presented to the courts since the 1930s. One of such court decisions is the judgment by Hall J. dated 11th February 1931 in the celebrated Acquisition Inquiry entitled IN THE MATTER OF LAND AT ACCRA, ACQUIRED FOR EUROPEAN RESIDENTIAL AREA AND EUROPEAN RESIDENTIAL AREA EXTENTION. (Records of all Court Decisions are available for review and confirmation).
While the leadership of the Family is mindful of the fact that there are statutory provisions which support the State use of compulsory acquisition to secure parcels of land for the development of projects that are of national interest, the Family is also aware that there are provisions on the due processes that the State has to comply with for compulsory acquisition to take effect. The leadership of the Family hereby wishes to bring attention to the following:
- The parcel of land under consideration for the construction of the National Cathedral was originally acquired by the state by compulsory acquisition, for the development estate houses in 1931.
- No compensation was paid to the leadership of the Family even though the State took over the land in 1931.
- The purpose for which the acquisition was done was not fulfilled, and yet, the State held on to the land.
- Similar to other previous acquisitions by the State, there has been no indication by the State to follow due process in notifying and engaging with the leadership of the Nii Odoitso Odoi Kwao Family on any change in plans for the use of the land.
Therefore, under the instructions of the leadership of the Nii Odoitso Odoi Kwao Family of Accra, I write to express the Family’s objection to the decision by the State, acting through the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, to take possession of the said parcel of land at Ridge for the construction of the National Cathedral. The leadership of the Family does not agree with the change of the original purpose for the acquisition. The leadership of the Family also wishes to bring attention to the fact that no compensation has been paid by the State to the Family since the land was compulsorily acquired in 1931. Committing to the original purpose for which the land was acquired is dependent on the State’s payment of appropriate compensation to the leadership of the Family. The leadership of the Family will be compelled to take the necessary steps to reclaim the land from the State if the original purpose for the acquisition is not adhered to, and, even if that is adhered to but no compensation is paid to the Family.
Signed
……………………………
Kofi Antwi Abankwa Esq.
