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Angry residents of Adansi Akwanserem have accused their Member of Parliament, Hon. Godwin Animli Dzogbazi-Dorani, of intimidating them with land guards over a disputed one-plot piece of land in the community.
According to the residents, since the MP’s election as Member of Parliament for the Adansi Asokwa Constituency last year, he has allegedly used land guards to harass them in connection with an ongoing land dispute. They claim the land in question borders the MP’s residence.
Speaking to Channel 247 News, the residents alleged that the MP is leveraging his position to take over the land without valid documentation. They insist the land belongs to them and accuse the MP of attempting to seize it unlawfully.
Spokesperson for the residents and a key victim, Mr. Stanley Owusu Afriyie, warned that the situation could escalate if peace in the community continues to be threatened. He accused the MP of ordering the arrest of a mason who was working on the disputed land, claiming the worker was detained on the MP’s instructions.
The residents said the matter was reported to the chiefs and elders of the Adansi Traditional Area for resolution. According to them, the chief directed both parties to stay away from the land after a foundation had been laid. However, they allege that the MP later sent land guards to demolish the foundation, in defiance of the traditional authority’s order.
Mr. Afriyie further revealed that some of the affected individuals travelled from the United Kingdom to attend sittings at the chief’s palace in an effort to resolve the dispute. He claimed the MP repeatedly ignored summons from the traditional authorities, causing the victims to incur unnecessary travel costs and inconvenience.
The residents are demanding compensation for expenses incurred and are calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Ashanti Regional Police Command to intervene to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
They warned that failure by authorities to act could force them to take matters into their own hands. The residents also stated that they voted for the MP to serve the interests of the constituency and not to intimidate them, adding that they would vote him out if the alleged harassment persists.
Efforts to reach Hon. Godwin Animli Dzogbazi-Dorani for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Source: Ghana/channel247online.com/ YawBoagyan
