Gov't May Compulsorily Acquire Adjen Kotoku Disputed Lands

The Ga West Municipal Assembly says it may compulsorily acquire the Adjen Kotoku disputed lands from persons who have secured a court injunction against a planned demolition exercise there. Speaking to Joy News, Thursday, after a Land court in Accra ordered the Municipal Assembly not to carry out any demolition of homes at Adjen Kotoku, the Municipal Chief Executive for the area, Sam Atukwei Quaye said, government is willing to compensate persons who will be displaced by a demolition exercise. According to the MCE, even though the assembly will comply with the order of the court, government may compulsorily acquire the land and pay compensation to enable the affected persons relocate. Mr. Quaye said government is not intend to demolish buildings and render people homeless, but noted that the area, which has been zoned for a market and other infrastructural projects that will benefit the people of Ga West, cannot be turned into a residential area. The court order follows a motion filed by some residents against the Ga West Assembly's intentions of demolishing the buildings at Adzen Kotoku to make way for the relocation of inhabitants of Old Fadama. Residents of the area had insisted that they legally acquired the land and asked the court to restrain the assembly from pulling down their structures. The court granted their request. Joseph Yaw Frankibi, spokesperson for the residents, says the residents are satisfied with the decision of the court. According to him, the residents are determined to fight the case because they are sure to get legal protection from the law. He insisted if the state wants to take over the land, it should act in accordance with law.