Businessman and former National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirant for Ablekuma West, Kobby Mensah, has accused state officials of unfairly targeting his investments following the demolition of his hotel project at Dansoman Ebenezer in Accra.
He expressed shock and disappointment over the demolition, claiming the exercise was carried out under circumstances that raise concerns about due process, fairness, and the possible abuse of power.
According to him, he acquired the land legally on May 2, 1997, from Nii Allotey Obour and began development works on the property in 2009, and subsequently constructed a perimeter fence in 2010 before initiating the regularisation and registration process in 2014.
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In a press statement issued on May 31, 2026, Mensah explained that he recently started redeveloping the site into a hotel facility when the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ohenewaa Akweley Ocloo, visited the property and directed that the height of the perimeter wall be reduced.
He said he complied with the directive in good faith and addressed the concerns raised by the minister.
However, he alleged that despite his compliance, the Regional Minister later ordered the demolition of the property.
According to Mensah, officials of the Municipal Assembly subsequently moved onto the site and carried out the demolition exercise.
He alleged that he was physically assaulted by security personnel accompanying the demolition team when he attempted to stop the exercise and seek clarification.
Mensah also claimed that the Regional Minister indicated she would not permit him to construct a hotel near her mother’s family home, a statement he believes raises questions about whether the demolition was influenced by personal considerations rather than planning regulations.
The former parliamentary aspirant revealed that he had formally petitioned the leadership of the NDC over the matter.
According to him, the party constituted an investigative committee chaired by Baba Jamal to examine the dispute and scheduled June 1, 2026, to hear all parties involved.
Mensah questioned the timing of the demolition, noting that it was carried out a day before the committee was due to begin its investigations.
“It is troubling and highly suspicious that the demolition was carried out just a day before the committee was due to hear the matter,” he stated.
He alleged selective enforcement, claiming that several structures situated along the same gutter or water course have not been affected by similar actions.
According to him, the incident follows the demolition of a fence wall at one of his hotel properties in Ablekuma about five months ago, an action he said was also supervised by the same Municipal Chief Executive.
Mensah said the repeated actions against his properties have left him with the impression that certain government appointees are deliberately targeting his investments.
Describing himself as a loyal member of the NDC, he said he never expected to become the victim of what he termed a systematic campaign against his businesses and livelihood.
He called on the leadership of the NDC to ensure a fair, transparent and impartial investigation into the matter.
He also appealed to relevant state institutions to establish whether due process was followed in authorising and executing the demolition and urged human rights and civil society organisations to take an interest in the case.
Mensah maintained that he remains committed to pursuing justice through lawful means and expressed confidence that the truth would ultimately prevail.