The Executives of the Nii Boiman Regularization and affiliate associations in collaboration with the allodia owners of the Asere Kotopong Stool Lands, have held its general meeting for land and property owners in and around the erstwhile sports complex land to bring them to speed on the processes involved in getting their properties duly registered.
The Association, deliberated on progress on the community’s land regularization process and property owners who have submitted their documents, both completed and in progress, were also in attendance to receive updates on the status of their properties.
Addressing the gathering, the Dzaasetse of the Asere Kotopong Stool of the Ga State, Nii Amarkai III, expressed his concern over individuals going around the vicinity demanding payments without proper verification, leaving residents uncertain about the legitimacy of these transactions.
To guide the community through this issue, the Asere Dzaasetse, informed the audience about several authoritative bodies they could consult to verify land ownership.
He emphasized the importance of reaching out to the Ga Traditional Council, the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs in Dodowa and the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, for verification purposes.
“We have the Ga Traditional Council, the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, and the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs in Dodowa where people can verify if the person really owns a land,” he said. “Other than that, they will be paying money to certain people without a receipt, thinking that their documents will be given to them, which is a lie.”
Moreover, Nii Amarkai III, cautioned locals against making payments without receiving receipts and being promised immediate documentation in return.
He clarified that the government has tasked the Land Commission with coordinating with the Regularisation and affiliate associations to prepare all necessary documentation before payment is made to the government adding that; this will ensure transparency and minimize the risk of fraudulent activities.
Nii Amarkai III, highlighted the close collaboration between the Land Commission and the Regularisation and affiliate associations explaining that both entities work hand in hand to facilitate payments and streamline administrative procedures for the benefit of society.
“So whether you go to the Land Commission to pay, you come to the association to pay as the association is just a wing of the Land Commission,” he said. “The association is helping the Land Commission to make payments and paper is very easy for a society.”
He pointed out that his presence at the meeting was a testament to his commitment to the community and his role as the Paramount Dzaasetse for Greater Accra. With his expertise and judgment, he aimed to debunk misconceptions surrounding land ownership and transactions, and ultimately protect the residents from deceptive practices.
Nii Amarkai III, therefore encouraged residents to seek verification and consult the relevant authorities when engaging in land transactions to safeguard their investments and maintain the integrity of the community.
In his remarks, the Public Relations Officer of the Nii Boiman Regularisation, Nii Ayi Mensah I, stated that the Association is focusing on the regularization of the erstwhile National Sports Complex land, spanning 2,992.73 acres, which was acquired by the government from the Asere Kotopong Stool of the Ga State.
He added that it is being done in collaboration with the stool and the Land Commission, saying; the Association serves as a liaison to ensure the proper regularization of all properties.
According to Nii Ayi Mensah I, the issue at hand involves encroachers on the land, for which the Asere Kotopong Stool and the Land Commission found no records of land allocation.
“To rectify this, the Asere Kotopong Stool and the Land Commission have agreed to enforce the regularization of all properties. The land commission has sent letters to each encroacher, providing them with a 21-day deadline to register their documents. Failure to comply within this timeframe will result in the encroachers losing their claim to the land”. He emphasized.
Nii Ayi Mensah pointed out that while the exact date for the Land Commission’s intervention is yet to be determined, the letter issued in May 2023 has stated that if registration is not completed, the encroachers will be deemed to have no interest in the land. The affected areas include Bambolino (formerly known as Abeka), Ofanko, Asofa, Awoshie, Kwashiebu, Sowutuom, and Lomnava within the Nii Boiman enclave.
On her part, the Secretary of Racecourse Local Association local resident, Sarafina Doe, spoke about the important role of local associations in proving property ownership in a recent news item.
She highlighted the collaboration between 16 associations at the national level to work with property owners and ensure proper documentation of ownership.
Madam Doe emphasized the significance of having proof of ownership for transactions, especially through an indenture, to prevent property disputes and ensure the right person receives the property.
She pointed out the crucial role of local associations in providing this proof to the Land Commission to avoid giving property to the wrong individuals.
