La Associations Coalition Condemns Ghana Armed Forces’ Actions Regarding La Lands

The Coalition of La Associations (COLA) has taken a firm stance against the Ghana Armed Forces regarding land issues in the Kpeletso/East Airport area of La in Accra.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the military’s response on September 26, 2023, COLA described it as regrettable.

The disagreement stems from media reports following customary rites conducted on a parcel of land spanning approximately 114.52 acres in the region, to which the military responded, expressing concern over the lack of directives from the Ministry of Defense or any government agency permitting access to the La Stool.

However, six months later, COLA has launched a counterattack against these assertions.

In a recent rebuttal, the coalition presented a detailed history of land ownership and negotiations, dating back to government acquisitions between 1936-1944.

They highlighted a petition from the La Stool to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission, seeking the release of a portion of the land acquired by the government.

Moreover, COLA underscored the formation of a committee comprising various stakeholders, including the Ghana Armed Forces, which concluded its work in 2022.

This committee recommended terms of land allocation, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2022 and the subsequent demarcation of boundaries in May 2023.

“The Committee therefore completed its work and is defunct as at the time of the Press Release by the Military. It could not have been true, as stated in the Press Release from the Ghana Armed Forces, that ‘there are ongoing discussions by a Committee set up by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to deliberate and recommend possible measures to resolve the fond issue.”

In light of these developments, the coalition accuses the Ghana Armed Forces of disregarding established agreements and acting in bad faith by feigning ignorance of these negotiations.

“The Ghana Armed Forces cannot pretend not to be aware of the deliberations and documentation executed in respect of the land,” Portions of the March 13, 2024 statement indicated read.

Emphasizing the importance of respecting the La Stool’s rights for peaceful coexistence, COLA called for adherence to the law in resolving the ongoing land dispute.

COLA expects the Ghana Armed Forces to act fairly and in accordance with the law, warning that any action to the contrary would be deemed unlawful and could lead to chaos.