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Landowners from six communities in the Ejisu Municipality have formally petitioned His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, disputing recent claims over a vast parcel of land allegedly acquired by the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), and accusing some traditional leaders of spreading falsehoods.
The affected landowners—drawn from Asarpong, Abenase, Ampabame, Manhyia, Hwereso, and Adadientem—have stated unequivocally that they were never compensated for the 1,950-acre land, which GFZA expressed interest in back in 2004 but failed to acquire formally.
In the petition delivered to the Manhyia Palace on April 1, the landowners thanked Otumfuo for defending the truth and clearing the air in a prior public statement, where he confirmed that no payments had been made to the rightful owners.
“We are grateful to Your Majesty for courageously stating the truth—that we have not benefited from any sale of our lands to the Free Zones Authority,” they wrote.
The petitioners accused certain chiefs of misrepresenting facts before the Traditional Council, falsely suggesting that landowners had been paid and that the land was available for development. They described these actions as deceptive and detrimental to peace and justice in the area.
After 22 years of waiting without word or compensation from GFZA, the residents say they took back full control of their lands. Many have since sold their plots to private developers, while others have built homes and permanent structures themselves.
“There are no longer any lands available for the Free Zones Authority,” the petition stated firmly. “We have developed the land and transferred ownership to others who now live there permanently.”
In an interview with newsmen spokesperson for the landowners, Mr Dominic Addai Akuoko expressed the group’s frustration.
“For over 25 years now, Free Zones haven’t compensated us. Therefore, we’ve sold the lands to private developers. People have built their homes on the lands,” he said.
Some members of the group are also appealing to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for forgiveness for selling the land without formal recourse to the Golden Stool, explaining that they were left with no option after years of being ignored.
“We plead with His Majesty to pardon us. We acted out of necessity, not defiance,” one landowner shared.
The petition, while reaffirming their rights to the land, also serves as a strong caution against any future attempts by the GFZA or other state institutions to reclaim the lands without engaging the true owners.
The development underscores ongoing tensions around land management in the Ashanti Region and highlights the need for transparency and fair negotiation between traditional authorities, government agencies, and local communities.
