The country is teetering towards lawlessness as the political elite increasingly rely on military personnel for land guard duties, resulting in heightened communal clashes and tensions, often escalating to deadly confrontations over land ownership disputes.
The illicit use of force, backed by state power and government support, through armed gangs, threatens to foster a culture of lawlessness and gangsterism, imperiling the nation’s stability.
Security expert and consultant Richard Kumadoe voiced these concerns during an appearance on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
Kumadoe highlighted the unusual swift response from military high command following the recent loss of an officer in a land dispute in Kasoa. He called for a reevaluation of military priorities, urging a focus on quelling violence involving civilians and ensuring security institution integrity.
Furthermore, Kumadoe urged military leadership to instill discipline within their ranks, discouraging collaboration with politicians in land disputes. He emphasized that such actions undermine the military’s role in defending the state and perpetuate the dangerous trend of land guard activities leading to loss of life in communal conflicts and land litigations.
In a separate incident, a military officer was fatally shot while two others narrowly escaped death during a land dispute at Millennium City in Kasoa. The disagreement arose when the officers confronted individuals allegedly encroaching on land they claimed ownership of.
Despite attempts to resolve the matter at the local police station, the dispute persisted, eventually escalating to violence. Allegations of collusion between police officers and land guards further underscored concerns of corruption within local law enforcement.
The incident underscores the urgent need for decisive action to curb the proliferation of land guard activities and uphold the rule of law, safeguarding lives and promoting societal harmony.
Story by Alexander Kukah
