More than one thousand residents of Coconut Plantation in Osu RE, within the La Dadekotopon Municipality have been displaced following the demolition of their homes on April 11.
The exercise, carried out under the supervision of the CEO of Anyok Holdings, Clemence Djato, forms part of a broader effort to reclaim state lands.
The operation has left hundreds of residents displaced.
A joint security team made up Police, National Security and Military personnel, provided security for the private firm contracted by government to reclaim encroached state lands.
The Coconut Plantation area, a strip of land along the shores of Osu RE, previously housed offices of the Fisheries Commission after the state acquired it through an executive instrument nearly a century ago.
Residents confirm that several demolition notices had been served but were ignored.
Many were taken by surprise when the exercise commenced on April 11, at a time when most were still asleep.
Some residents were woken up by security personnel and given a brief window to salvage their belongings before their structures were reduced to rubble.
More than one hundred structures, including four chapels, were flattened by earth-moving equipment.
Residents who failed to vacate despite a one-year demolition notice are now stranded.
A contract staff of the Fisheries Commission returned home to find her residence completely demolished. He and his son expressed their intention to relocate to Navrongo.
Fear, anxiety and despair gripped several displaced residents, with some vulnerable people struggling to cope.
Another woman, overwhelmed by the destruction of her home, collapsed and was rushed to a nearby hospital after attempts to revive her proved unsuccessful.
Residents say they had access to free water and electricity in the area.
Chief Executive Officer of the government contracted firm, Clemence Djato, justified the demolition, stating that government needed the land for redevelopment.
“It is a decongesting exercise. We are taking land that belongs to government,” he said.
He further indicated that, “anyone who has built here has no locus to do so”.
He also dismissed claims that reclaimed state lands are redistributed to political actors.
According to him, “ every land reclaimed has been put to good use by the government.”
He added that no politician has influence in the work he does.
The second phase of the demolition is expected to take place on Sunday, April 12.
By Stanley Nii Blewu
