Story by Bubu Klinogo
The Keta Investment Promotion Centre (KIPC) has called on the chiefs and people of the 36 towns constituting Anlo to be alert in Keta Port project-related discussions to avoid losing their lands to schemers.
The Centre said the port project in the area poses the risk of displacing some families and communities as these places might be needed for use as “container terminals or other related infrastructure,” hence the need for vigilance to avoid displacement on a larger scale.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Keta Investment Promotion Centre, Mrs. Enyonam Apetorgbor observed, “certain individuals with questionable motives and significant political influence are devising strategic schemes to discreetly persuade chiefs and youths or form alliances through marriage with some influential families.”
“Their ultimate goal is to dispose clans and families of their lands under the guise of ‘development. In some instances, they will say the land will be used for estate development, farming, among other funny uses.”
She stated that already there are some noticeable activities, including the erection of land demarcation poles on certain lands at Borlove-Norlofi, by some hidden faces, whose modus operandi was alluded to above. She is therefore urging the chiefs and people of Borlove-Norlofi to take the necessary steps to investigate and seek clarifications.
The statement appealed to chiefs, youth leaders, opinion leaders, local political actors, and media personnel, some of whom the release alleged would be targeted for settlement with tempting offers like houses in plush communities among other enticements to be silent, to stand up for Anloland.
“Let us not betray posterity and future generations because of greed. Let’s not allow our economic conditions to lead us into any regrettable decisions,’ it said.
The release assured of the availability of KIPC and its team of experts to offer counsel, hold public forums for conversations on the efforts those questionable individuals are making “to have our targeted lands acquired and legally titled before the end of 2024,” noting, “if they succeed, I am afraid, we will soon receive court injunctions and orders asking us to vacate our fatherland.”
“For the avoidance of doubt and smooth development of the Port project, we suggest
as an interested party, to the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority to make public or hold a stakeholder engagement to disclose any or the Public Private Partnership Agreement entered into with anyone or institution in respect of the Keta Port project,” it concluded.
Construction of a port at Keta has been on the drawing board for so many years. The Akufo-Addo government has meanwhile commenced the processes towards the construction of the port, but the efforts are progressing at a very slow pace. Apart from the erection of a signboard at the project site and some two container offices, nothing meaningful is going on on the site. Meanwhile, a director has been appointed, leaving many to question what or who he is directing.