- A land dispute in Ashaiman has escalated as the Peaceful Settlers Association accuses local officials of pressuring them into surrendering legally acquired property.
- The group claims they were threatened and manipulated into accepting a questionable agreement favoring a private developer.
- Municipal authorities deny wrongdoing, saying their actions are part of a broader effort to clear illegal structures.
- The settlers insist their land rights are valid and protected by court proceedings, and they’re calling for transparency and respect for the legal process.
Tensions are rising in Ashaiman as a group of long-standing residents say they’re being pushed to the brink over a contested piece of land. The Peaceful Settlers Association claims that municipal officials, including the town’s Chief Executive, have been pressuring them to sign away their rights to a plot they insist was legally leased to them decades ago.
According to the group, members were summoned to the local government office and faced intense pressure to accept a settlement agreement they believe is fraudulent. Some say they were warned that their shops would be demolished if they refused to comply, and others allege they were forced to sign documents under duress.
The land in question—Plot No. ASH/MKT/A/96—was reportedly leased to the settlers by the Tema Development Corporation, and they say they hold valid documentation to prove it. The dispute has already reached the Tema High Court, but the settlers argue that municipal officials are trying to sidestep the legal process by pushing through an out-of-court deal.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive has publicly denied any attempt to seize land illegally. He maintains that the Assembly is simply carrying out a decongestion exercise aimed at clearing traders who operate unlawfully on roads and pavements. He insists that no demolition is planned for areas under legal dispute.
But the settlers aren’t convinced. They say construction is already underway on the contested land, and they believe the developer involved is working with the backing of local authorities. They’re demanding clarity on the permits being used and warning that any attempt to demolish their shops would interfere with the ongoing court case.
The group also pushed back against claims that their structures pose a safety risk. They argue that their shops have stood since the 1960s without obstructing pedestrian pathways, and they see the safety argument as a thin excuse for removing them.
Despite the pressure, the settlers say they remain committed to resolving the issue through legal channels. They describe themselves as peaceful and law-abiding, and while they’re open to dialogue, they reject any form of intimidation or coercion.
