A long-standing land dispute in Pokuase, a suburb of Accra, took a dramatic turn on Friday, May 2, 2025, when a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team from the Ghana Police Service arrested ten individuals for allegedly trespassing on contested land belonging to the Otublohum Traditional Stool.
The swoop, led by personnel from the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, followed persistent complaints by Nana Ansah Sasraku II, Boundary Chief of Otublohum, regarding the activities of land guards and construction workers he described as “troublesome and lawless.” These individuals, believed to be working under the instruction of one “Mr. Tamale” and alleged backers from Abola Piam in Ga Mashie, were reportedly operating heavy machinery on the land when they were apprehended.
According to local sources, the group—numbering around 50—has for months instilled fear among residents, intimidating those who questioned their presence. Witnesses said the men arrived with bulldozers, excavators, and construction tools, intent on commencing development without any recognised approval.
Speaking after the arrests, the Krontihene of Pokuase, Nii Dodoo Akoto Oyeadieye I, vowed to restore law and order in the area. He recounted the historical background of the disputed land, noting that in 1947, the colonial government compulsorily acquired 532 acres from fourteen Otublohum families to establish a piggery—a plan that was never realised. Instead, portions were used by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Under Legislative Instrument (LI) 2378, amended in 2019, the government is required to return lands that have not been utilised for their stated purposes after 50 years to the original allodial owners. Citing this provision, Nii Dodoo argued that the land rightfully belongs to the original families, who have rejected its allocation for an affordable housing project proposed by the previous government.
He criticised the Akufo-Addo-led administration for failing to consult the affected families and revealed that several political figures and party loyalists had been granted portions of the land at negligible rates.
Following the change of government in January 2025, the families began direct talks with the new administration. It was during this period that “Mr. Tamale” and his group emerged, claiming ownership of the land—a claim Nii Dodoo dismissed as baseless, stating that the group was not among the original fourteen families compensated for the land’s acquisition.
The families involved include the descendants of Nii Dodo Kobla, Nii Nakwa II, Nii Kwaku Kwadjan, and others.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has indicated that the arrested individuals will be processed for court, as investigations continue into the legality of their actions and the broader ownership dispute.
This latest development underscores the volatile nature of land administration in Ghana, particularly in fast-developing peri-urban areas like Pokuase, where traditional authority, government interests, and private claims frequently clash.
