The Coalition of La Youth Association, (COLA), has petitioned the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources against what it describes as unlawful claim of its Lands by government.
The Association says the people of La have not received any compensation for lands claimed by governments over the years, and is demanding immediate compensation.
According to the Association, development is eluding the people of La, because majority of their lands have been taken over. Vice Chairman of the Association, Cornelius Okan-Adjetey said the members have the full backing of the Chiefs of La, for their demands.
Scores of people in red T-shirts with the inscription “Government give us our lands” congregated at the La-Market for a roll call, before proceeding to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to present the petition to the Minister.
The group said they have persued the issue since 2016, but the response from government has not been favourable. Spokesperson for the Association Novalis Lartey outlined their demands.
“Our demand is simple, compensate us or return the land…government has taken more lands than we occupy. The area from the Lands Commission, Airport all the way to Adenta, Trade Fair-La all belong to us.”
Vice Chairman of the Coalition of La Youth Association, Cornelius Okan-Adjetey said refusal to pay compensation to the people of La is disrespectul to the Chiefs of the community.
” the respect that is not being attached to the chiefs of La is disheartening. That is why our chiefs have sent us, the children of the land to hit streets in demonstrations and and present our petition to the Minister (Lands and Natural Resources)”.
He called on all persons from La and its environs to join in the fight for their rights.
Story by Nathaniel Nartey
