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A land dispute in Ashaiman has sparked outrage, as members of the Peaceful Settlers’ Association claim they are being forcibly displaced from a 2.3-acre plot they have legally occupied for over two decades.
The group accuses a private developer, Alhaji Haruna, of encroaching on their land with the alleged backing of powerful political figures.
Despite securing court injunctions to halt ongoing construction, work on the disputed land continues, raising questions about the influence of power and money in Ghana’s land administration system.
Clash Over Land Ownership
The dispute began when Alhaji Haruna, who owns land adjacent to that of the Peaceful Settlers, allegedly extended his development onto their property in December 2024.
When members of the association removed barricades he had erected, Alhaji reported them to the police, leading to the arrest and detention of 13 association members for 12 hours.
The association, however, argues that the police failed to act impartially.
“We expected the police to intervene fairly, but instead, they sided with Alhaji, calling for a so-called mediation meeting while construction continued unchecked,” said a member of the group.
Documents Prove Settlers’ Ownership
Checks at the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) confirmed that the Peaceful Settlers’ Association legally owns the land.
However, enforcement of the court order has been slow, leaving the settlers vulnerable to forced eviction.
“We are shocked that despite a court injunction, construction on our land is ongoing. Alhaji is using his political influence to intimidate us and take what is rightfully ours,” a member lamented.
Political Ties? MP Denies Collusion
The association has also accused Ashaiman MP, Ernest Norgbey, of colluding with Alhaji to seize their land.
However, the MP has denied any involvement, stating that he only stepped in after being petitioned by the settlers.
“The association requested my intervention, and I called for a meeting with both parties. Since the matter is now in court, I am pushing for an out-of-court settlement—that’s the only way I can get involved,” Norgbey explained.
Livelihoods at Risk
Many of the settlers, who are mainly market traders, have already lost their stalls and sources of income due to the encroachment.
“Our businesses are suffering, our people are losing their livelihoods, and justice seems slow. We are taking this fight to the media because we believe there are many others like us whose lands are being taken unjustly,” said a representative of the association.
Call for Land Reforms
The settlers insist that their story is just one of many cases of land injustice in Ashaiman and across Ghana.
They are calling for urgent reforms in land administration to prevent similar situations in the future.
“We are not just fighting for ourselves. We want to shine a light on this issue so that others don’t lose their lands to the powerful and connected,” one of the members added.
For now, the battle for Ashaiman’s 2.3 acres continues, with the Peaceful Settlers’ Association vowing not to back down until their land is fully restored
