Richard Kofi Attenkah
5 August 2008
Appolonia — After several years of misunderstanding, between elders of the three royal clans in Appolonia, near Katamanso in the Kpone-Katamanso constituency, over the alienation of land in the area, peace has finally returned to the town.
About eight years ago, an Accra High Court ruled that the chief of the area could alienate portions of the land, only when he had sought the consent of elders of the three ruling clans.
Nii Tei Adumuah II, acting on the authority of the Kpone Traditional Council, appears to have defied the order, when he gave a portion of the land to a contractor, to win gravels to construct the Appolonia road.
This led to a contempt charge being levelled against the Paramount Chief of the Kpone Traditional area, Nii Tetteh Otu II.
As a result of this, both the chief and elders of the royal clans could not release portions of the land, either to prospective buyers to generate some funds to develop the town, or for developmental projects, thus stalling development in the area.
Some unknown people also took advantage of the misunderstanding between the people, and started selling some of the land, without the knowledge of the major stakeholders in the town.
However, after a series of discussions, and deliberations among the stakeholders, a Land Allocation Committee was set up to oversee the alienation of the lands, so as to bring peace and also ensure the rapid development of the area.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 12-member Land Allocation Committee, at Appolonia last Wednesday, the Paramount Chief of the Kpone Traditional Council (KTC), Nii Tetteh Otu II, stated that traditional areas in the country, needed peace and reconciliation to develop their communities.
Nii Kpone cautioned members of the committee, not to use their new positions to lord themselves over the people, and advised them to execute their responsibilities with caution, as well as humble themselves before those who would appear before them.
Mr. A. K. B. Ampiah, a retired Court of Appeal judge, who gave judgment on the land several years ago, explained that the problem of Appolonia was not a chieftaincy dispute, but a simple misunderstanding of the court's ruling.
The Appolonia Mantse, Nii Tei Adumuah II, expressed his profound gratitude to the opinion leaders, and the youth who fought hard to attain peace and reconciliation, for the people of the town.
He advised the people to forgive each other, in order to live in peace and harmony, adding that forgiveness was healthy for the body.
Nii Tei Adumuah II appealed to the government, and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), to speed up work on the extension of electricity to the area, in order for the people to enjoy the facility.
Mr. Harry Anthony Attipoe, Registrar for the Kpone Traditional Council, cautioned the Land Allocation Committee members, to beware of some estate developers whose activities may lead them into mismanagement of the land.
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) donated 30 poles to continue with their electricity project.
Justice Ampiah swore members of the Appolonia 12-member Land Allocation Committee into office.
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