Unidentified armed men have destroyed portions of a new office complex being constructed for Ghana’s ruling National Democratic Congress in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, amid an escalating dispute over ownership of the land.
The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of May 7 at Awiaso Junction near Aiyinasi, where assailants armed with guns and machetes demolished sections of the facility, estimated to cost about GHC1 million.
District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Joseph Armah Agyekum, condemned the incident and described the destruction as unlawful.
“No individual or group has the authority to pull down any structure except through lawful means sanctioned by the courts or the District Security Council,” he told journalists during a visit to the site.
According to Agyekum, the disputed land was acquired in 2017 by Ellembelle Member of Parliament Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah from the late chief Nana Boadi for about GHC20,000 per plot.
However, following the chief’s death, members of the Awiaso royal family challenged the legitimacy of the transaction, arguing that the land had not been properly transferred.
The dispute was initially taken to court before both parties agreed to pursue settlement through an Alternative Dispute Resolution process, the DCE said.
He added that the NDC agreed to compensate the family for the land and accepted additional conditions, including employing local youth on the project, contributing to the construction of a palace, and paying annual royalties.
Agyekum alleged that the royal family later introduced a further demand requiring the NDC and the MP to facilitate the gazetting of King Kaku Aka III as overlord of Nzema land, a request he said fell outside their authority.
He also claimed the project site had faced previous attacks since construction began.
Meanwhile, Ellembelle NDC Constituency Chairman Alex Mahama warned against further vandalism and said anyone found responsible could face arrest and prosecution.
Police have not yet publicly commented on the incident or announced any arrests.