The chiefs and people of Adoagyiri near Nsawam in the Eastern Region, are up in arms against former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, over ownership of some lands estimated to be 770.74 acres.
Even though the case is before a law court in Koforidua, the regional capital, the Mawerehene of Adoagyiri, Nana Otuo Siriboe Safo Kankam, is pleading with President John Dramani Mahama to revoke an Executive Instrument (EI) which committed all lands in the area to state ownership and were subsequently leased to Nana Konadu.
The case, which came up for hearing last Tuesday, has been adjourned until sometime next month.
Speaking on Accra FM, the Mawerehene indicated that 770.74 acres of land in four communities in the traditional area namely, Ntoaso, Akwamu, Adoagyiri and Owuraku, were confiscated by the state and leased to the wife of former President Jerry John Rawlings without the knowledge of the traditional rulers.
As the allodial owners of the lands, he indicated that they leased some plots of land to private developers.
But when those individuals went to Koforidua with intent to register their lands, they discovered that all the lands in the area had been registered in the name of the state.
Subsequently, Nana Safo Kankam said a delegation of chiefs from the area followed up to the land registry in Koforidua where they were told the 770.74 acres of land belonging to the Adoagyiri Traditional Area had been confiscated by the state under EI 31 and leased for 50 years to Carridem Development Company, owned by Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
According to him, the lands were given to Carridem at a total cost of GH¢3,850, with an average of less than GH¢5.00 per acre, and was given the option to extend the lease at the end of the 50 years if the company so wished.
Carridem has been using the land for the cultivation of pineapples and the cannery project since October 2013 when the land was leased to it.
The chiefs have petitioned the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for a resolution of the matter.
They subsequently petitioned parliament after which the Minister, Nii Osah Mills, was summoned to appear before the House.
Later, a committee set up by the minister was said to have made recommendations for the chiefs of Adoagyiri to be given back their lands, even though that recommendation is yet to be followed through to the letter.
It is for this reason that the Mawerehene and the other chiefs want the president to use his executive powers to revoke the EI and have the lands handed back to them to ensure peace in the area.
But the office of the former first lady has indicated that it is not prepared to debate the issue in the media.
Aide to Nana Konadu and National Coordinator for the Friends of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (FONKAR), Joseph Bediako, who has been following the case in court, told DAILY GUIDE that they prefer to argue their case in a court of law and not in the court of public opinion, since that would amount to contempt.
He therefore advised the chiefs and whoever has a case against the Nana Konadu to meet her in court.
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