Nii Amartey Kwei III, Chief of Kweiman, has issued a passionate call for justice regarding ancestral lands entrusted to the government of Ghana during the presidency of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The land, originally allocated for dairy farming to support national development, has since been plagued by corruption, illegal sales, and unauthorized developments.
In a press release, the chief recounted how the government, represented by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in 2020, acknowledged the land’s return to the chiefs and families of Kweiman. However, the process lacked clarity, including the absence of a detailed map outlining the land’s perimeters.
Nii Amartey Kwei III accused a cartel of individuals, including Clement Gyato, Moses Abhor, and Benito Owusu Bio, of unlawfully selling portions of the land. He further alleged the involvement of senior police officers such as COP Suraj and ACP Abbas, who have not only failed to enforce a 2023 court injunction but also participated in the illegal activities.
After exhausting legal and administrative remedies, the chief authorized the demolition of illegal structures on January 12, 2025. The exercise was halted by police intervention, raising questions about the role of law enforcement in protecting property rights.
Nii Amartey Kwei III has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene by ensuring the demolition of all illegal structures, returning the land to its rightful custodians, and punishing those involved in the land grab.
The chief emphasized the need for decisive action to restore faith in the justice system, warning that unchecked lawlessness could jeopardize the future of the nation. He urged all Ghanaians to join the fight against corruption and impunity.
Below is the full press statement:
*Press Release*
*By Nii Amartey Kwei III, Chief of Kweiman*
*Subject: Call for Justice and Restoration of Kweiman Lands*
*Date: January 22, 2025*
Distinguished Citizens of Ghana,
On behalf of the royal family of Kweiman, I address you today with a heavy heart to bring to light the plight and injustice suffered concerning the lands entrusted to the government of Ghana during the presidency of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This sacred land, initially granted for the noble purpose of dairy farming, has become the epicenter of corruption, lawlessness, and disregard for justice and due process.
*Historical Background*
In the early years of our nation’s independence, the royal family of Kweiman, led by our ancestors, generously allocated a parcel of land to the government of Ghana under the leadership of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This land was meant to support the development of the nation through dairy farming. Unfortunately, the government no longer uses the land for its intended purpose. Instead, it has been encroached upon by individuals erecting permanent structures without authorization.
In 2019, Mr. Clement Gyato claimed that the government had contracted him to clear unauthorized structures on the land as part of preparations to return it to its rightful custodians. However, this promise has remained unfulfilled. While the government, represented by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, issued a release note in November 2020 acknowledging the land’s return to the chiefs and families of Kweiman, including the Nii Kwetia family, the note lacked a detailed map of the land’s perimeters and failed to facilitate the actual return of the property.
*Rise of Illegal Cartels*
Instead of restoring the land to its rightful owners, a group of individuals has formed a cartel to sell the land unlawfully. This cartel, comprised of:
• *Clement Gyato* (Head of the landguards),
• *Moses Abhor* (Former regional youth organizer of the NPP),
• *Benito Owusu Bio* (Former Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources),
• *Shadrach Agyei Owusu* (Estate developer, also known as Nana Snap),
• *Davis* (claim to be a personal of the BNI)
• *Aminu Passport* (Claim to work at the passport office, and acting on behalf of the then first lady, Rebecca Akufo Addo)
has been actively engaged in criminal activities, selling our land without justification.
*Police Involvement in Criminality*
The involvement of police officers in these illegal activities is deeply troubling. Senior officers, including *COP Suraj* , *ACP Abbas* , and *DSP Malaika* , have stationed personnel on the land to aid Clement Gyato and his associates. Police personnel, such as Jafaru, Michael, and Douglas Akambiru, have not only failed to uphold the rule of law but have also taken portions of the land for their personal use. Despite a court order issued in 2023 under suit number LD/0655/2019, these officers have blatantly violated the law by allowing and participating in the illegal sale and development of the land.
*Court Order Ignored*
In response to these criminal acts, I obtained an interlocutory injunction in 2023. Despite this order, the police failed to enforce it. Even after affixing copies of the injunction on structures on the land, individuals who purchased land from the cartel continued to build with impunity, supported by the police.
*Actions Taken by the Kweiman Royal Family*
After exhausting all legal remedies and reporting the violations to the Adenta Division, the district command, the regional headquarters, and the national police service, we found no justice. Left with no alternative, on January 12, 2025, I authorized the demolition of structures built in blatant violation of the law. During this lawful exercise, the police intervened, questioning the validity of my demolition permit and stopping the operation.
*Questions for the Ghana Police Service*
I pose the following questions to the Ghana Police Service:
1. Where were you when a court of competent jurisdiction issued an injunction, and it was blatantly violated?
2. Is it not your duty to ensure that interlocutory injunctions are respected in this country?
3. Why did you fail to enforce the law yet intervene when I sought to protect my property?
4. Has the Ghana Police Service chosen to protect criminals instead of upholding justice?
*Call to Action*
*To the President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama:*
I appeal to you as the leader of our nation to intervene in this grave matter. Stand with the law and assist us in:
• Ensuring the demolition of all illegal structures on our land,
• Returning our land to its rightful custodians,
• Punishing the perpetrators of these crimes to restore faith in our justice system.
If landguards and corrupt officials are allowed to steal land from chiefs and citizens, our nation’s future will be one of lawlessness and despair. The Kweiman royal family urges your government to act decisively to prevent this erosion of justice and protect the sanctity of property rights.
*Conclusion*
The struggle for justice has been long and arduous. Despite the challenges, we remain committed to reclaiming our ancestral land. We call on all Ghanaians to stand with us in this fight against corruption and impunity. Together, we can ensure that the rule of law prevails, and the future of our nation remains secure.
Thank you.
*Signed:*
Nii Amartey Kwei III,
Chief of Kweiman
