Landowners and traditional authorities in Aburi Amanfrom, Atwapim and surrounding communities have thrown their support behind Royal Kingdom Estate, saying the company’s planned development has the potential to transform the area and create significant economic opportunities for residents.
The landowners, who describe themselves as the allodial owners and custodians of the land, have also called for calm and the use of lawful channels to resolve any competing claims over portions of the property being developed by the company.
Their intervention follows concerns over a dispute involving approximately 31 acres located within a larger parcel of about 1,700 acres earmarked for the Royal Kingdom Estate development.
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At a meeting with stakeholders, representatives of the landowners and traditional authorities said they recognised the investment being made by Royal Kingdom Estate and were concerned about what they described as attempts to disrupt activities on the site.
They maintained that any individual or group with a legitimate interest in the disputed land should pursue the appropriate legal processes rather than interfere with ongoing development activities.
A spokesperson for the landowners alleged that some individuals had been laying claim to portions of the land and identified Moses Gamati and his brother, Billy Gamati, among those associated with the claims.
However, the spokesperson stressed that the landowners did not want the dispute to escalate into confrontation and urged all parties to allow the courts and other competent institutions to determine competing claims.
“We don’t want to take the law into our hands.
If they think they have a case, they should go to court,” the spokesperson said.
He further alleged that workers operating on the property had faced harassment in connection with the dispute.
According to him, the landowners had raised concerns about the alleged incidents with the Nsawam Police Commander but were dissatisfied with the response so far.
“We are therefore calling on the IGP to intervene in this matter,” he said.
The spokesperson said the appeal to the security authorities was intended to ensure that all parties could operate within the law and that workers and other persons connected with the development were able to carry out their legitimate activities without intimidation or disruption.
Land custodians back development
The Abusuapanin of the family identified as custodians of the land, Seth Eduansah, also confirmed the family’s support for Royal Kingdom Estate.
In an interview, he maintained that the land had been lawfully acquired by Royal Kingdom Estate and said the family stood by the transaction.
He challenged persons disputing the company’s interest in the property to present their claims before the appropriate forum for determination.
AbusuapaninEduansah said the family’s position was that questions relating to ownership or competing interests in the land should be settled through the proper legal processes rather than through confrontation at the development site.
The landowners said the scale of the proposed project made it particularly important for all stakeholders to maintain peace and create an environment in which legitimate investment could proceed.
Community benefits
Beyond the land dispute, the traditional authorities and landowners praised Royal Kingdom Estate for what they described as its contribution to the local community.
They cited the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and employment opportunities for young people as some of the benefits associated with its presence in the area.
They said the development could provide additional opportunities for local businesses, workers and service providers if it proceeds without prolonged disruption.
The traditional authorities therefore called on residents, landowners, investors and state institutions to work together to protect peace in the area and ensure that legitimate grievances were addressed through the appropriate channels.
They stressed that the development of the area should be pursued in a manner that respects the rights and interests of all legitimate stakeholders.
The landowners said their support for Royal Kingdom Estate was based on their belief that the project could contribute to the long-term transformation of Aburi Amanfrom, Atwapim and neighbouring communities.
The stakeholders therefore appealed to the security agencies and other relevant institutions to pay attention to the situation and help prevent the dispute from developing into a wider conflict.