Settlers at Kotobaabi No. 2 are crying out for justice after they were forcefully displaced from lands their ancestors settled on more than 70 years ago. These settlers claim they have fulfilled all customary obligations to the Chief of Kotobaabi, Nii Gyaase Laryea Botwe, and regard the land as stool land traditionally granted to them by their forebears. Their troubles began when a private developer appeared, asserting ownership of the land by purchase and demanded that the settlers vacate. The settlers sought to verify this claim with the Chief before taking any action. However, before any consultation could take place, bulldozers and land guards arrived last Friday, demolishing homes and scattering belongings, leaving the settlers devastated and homeless.
In response to these distressing events, the media reached out to Chief Nii Gyaase Laryea Botswe, who strongly condemned the actions of the private developer. The Chief warned the developer and their associates to immediately put things in order and abandon any unauthorized demolition or eviction activities. The Chief’s stance reflects the importance of respecting customary land rights and the traditional authority of the stool, which historically governs land use in Kotobaabi. His condemnation indicates the developer’s actions were premature and lacked proper consultation with customary authorities, ultimately violating the rights of the settlers.The land dispute in Kotobaabi is rooted in a complex history where the land originally belonged to the Nii We family stool, with customary grants issued over decades to various settlers.
Although the land has traditionally been regarded as stool land, recognized by the Osu stool authority, the lack of formal documentation often leads to conflicting claims. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that such lands belong to the stool, and any ownership or usage rights should align with the stool’s authority. This makes private land sales and developments particularly sensitive in these areas, especially when settlers have occupied the land under customary grants for many years.
This case exemplifies the broader issues facing customary land tenure and modern development pressures in Ghana. Forced demolitions without adequate verification or legal process not only disrupt the lives of longstanding settlers but also undermine customary authority structures. Justice for the affected settlers will require a careful balance between recognizing traditional land rights, ensuring lawful land transactions, and protecting vulnerable communities from unlawful evictions. The Chief’s call for order and justice is a necessary step toward resolving these conflicts peacefully and fairly.
Source: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku