Five people have been arrested and placed in police custody for allegedly vandalising an uncompleted National Democratic Congress (NDC) office in Ellembelle District, Western Region.
The attack reportedly happened in the early hours of May 7. Armed with guns and machetes, the suspects tore down parts of the structure, causing damage estimated at GH¢1 million.
Speaking to Citi News, the NDC Constituency Communications Officer, Kwesi Hanson, said the party is undeterred and will push ahead with construction. “We’ve brought contractors back to site after the incident. We’ve also gathered materials to continue the work. Investigations are ongoing, and we expect a full report on what happened and who was behind it,” he said.
The Ellembelle District Chief Executive, Joseph Armah Agyekum, also condemned the act, calling it illegal and unacceptable. He stated that only the courts or the District Security Council, which he heads, can authorise the demolition of any structure.
According to Agyekum, the land in question was bought in 2017 by Ellembelle MP, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, from the late Chief Nana Boadi for about GH¢20,000 per plot.
After the chief’s passing, the Awiaso royal family contested the sale, arguing that the transfer was not properly completed. The issue went to court initially but was later withdrawn to allow for settlement through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
To avoid a lengthy legal battle, the NDC agreed to pay for the land again and meet conditions set by the royal family. These included hiring local youth for the project, helping build a palace, and paying annual royalties.
Agyekum said that after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, the royal family added a new demand: that the NDC and the MP help get King Kaku Aka III gazetted as Overlord of Nzema land. He noted that this request was beyond the authority of both the party and the MP. He added that the site had been attacked before since construction began.
