SPIO IN LAND SCANDAL

Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah is in the news again; but this time not synonymous with his fight against some officials of his NDC party and others in government he has waged in recent past.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Telecommunications is being accused by Chiefs and some opinion leaders of the Cheamu Traditional area of the Ahanta West District in the Western Region of illegally acquiring 3,840 square acres of land in the area.

TODAY’s findings were corroborated by a group of concerned citizens of Ahanta Traditional Area including the acting Chief of Chavena, Nana Arelanyu II, at a press conference in Accra two weeks ago.

According to Nana Arelanyu, the onetime presidential contestant in the NDC presidential primary used “dubious and fictitious ways to acquire the land.”

The disputed land, TODAY’s search established, lies between the oil rich Cape 3 Point and the Akiwidaa area.

The paper discovered from discreet inquiries that the otherwise neglected land at Cape 3 Point area has now become perhaps the “best fertile” area for marauding investors because of the oil deposit in the area, informing the rush by Dr Garbrah to get the vast parcel of land.

Other prospective buyers, mainly investors, are in queue to grasp parcels for themselves on daily basis.

A member of the concerned group, one Joseph Daniel Dadson, 38, said Dr Spio-Garbrah managed to acquire the land by clandestinely cornering some Chiefs of the area with cash in exchange for the land.

Chiefs and elders who opposed the sale of the land, TODAY discovered and was confirmed by the Concerned Group, were violently attacked by thugs recruited by the beneficiary Chiefs. Some of the outspoken chiefs were indeed stripped of their chieftaincy titles.

“Elders of the community who raised eyebrows were persecuted and some were also chased out from their palace, just because they were against the agenda of their colleagues,” Edward Bordes, who described himself as the President of the University Students Network of Ahanta West District, stated.

However, an aide to Dr Spio-Garbrah, Justice Annan, could neither confirm nor deny the story, except to say, “I have been contacted by a lot of media houses on the same story, so I will plead with you to give me some time whilst I try to get the response of my boss.”

And when this reporter spoke with him again after five days, he again was unable to confirm the story saying, “I have discussed the issue with him (Dr Spio-Garbrah) and he will be in the country the next couple of days. And trust me, he will either issue a statement on that or hold a press conference to react to the allegation.”

Further inquiries by TODAY have established that several community members were rendered jobless and homeless with Dr Garbrah’s purchase of the land.

Farmers and people who ply their trade on the parcel of the land were subjected to relentless mistreatment and harassment just to see them vacate from the land.

According to the group, the ensuing tussle amongst the Chiefs during the sale of the land has created blocs among them; thus hampering development in the area.

Source: TODAY Newspaper