Management of the University of Cape Coast says it is untrue that the government reduced the size of its land from 7sq. miles to 4.5sq. miles and ceded the remaining to Kwaprow or any other community surrounding it.
According to a press statement released by the University and signed by the Acting Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Kwabena Antwi-Konadu, any such reduction or cession of a portion of the University land ought to be done through the same Executive Instrument.
The statement indicated that the University of Cape Coast land was first acquired under an Executive Instrument, State Lands (University College) Instrument, 1969 (E.I. 87).
It said this was amended in 1972 by the Executive Instrument (E.I. 13), State Lands (Cape Coast- Site for University College) Instrument, 1972 adding that the land size covered under the E. I 13 is 6.22 square miles.
At the weekend Nana Kwesi Mensah III, Chief of Kwaprow stated that the University of Cape Coast is unlawfully claiming ownership over some acres of land owned them.
According to him, Kwaprow in the year 1960 together with other five communities (namely; Atokokyire, Kakumdo, Amamoma, Apewosika and Kwesipra) came together to form the University community by respectively dashing out some acres of land to the then Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s led government.
This land was for the establishment of UCC in an agreement to be heavily compensated but Nana Kwesi Mensah IIIemphasized that his community has virtually been taken over by the school through unauthorized means.
Reacting to this, the University of Cape Coast Management says no record exists to prove that claim.
According to the Acting Director of Public Affairs, notwithstanding the receipt of full compensation, the University has, over the years, witnessed concerted efforts by the leadership of the communities, including Kwaprow, to sell portions of the university lands.
Part of the statement read “It is instructive to note that, at the time of the acquisition, the Lands Valuation Board of the Lands Commission was tasked to identify the owners of the lands. There were 63 individuals and families who owned various sizes of land making a total of 6.22 square miles. Records from the Lands Commission show that full compensation for 95% of the total land size was paid to the prior owners. Of the remaining 5% not fully paid, records show part payment to the owner(s), file of the owner(s) not available at the Lands Commission and conflicting claims made by different individuals or families.”
It further states that Provisions under the Public Lands (Protection) Decree, 1974 (NRCD 240) as amended by the Lands Act 2020, (Act 1036), enjoin public bodies entrusted with public lands to take measures to protect the land.
In an interview on ATLFMNEWS on Friday, August 12, Mr. Antwi-Konadu said the claim by the Chief is untrue and as the facts are clear in the release, it is also verifiable.
As such he said “the best thing to do if somebody is in doubt of anything is to go to the source; the Land Commission and fish the document to know whether the University will intentionally just get up and start to claim land. It is rather the opposite.”
Mr. Antwi-Konadu entreated media houses running the story to get their facts right.
He said “the University is mindful of the law and will do things right. We on our part will wish that this issue wouldn’t go this way. Again it is proper for us to place this on record so that the media houses that are running this story as though what the man is saying is right will get the facts and then treat it properly.”
The University is currently constructing a fence wall to halt further encroachment on its land. It is this act that the same people of Kwaprow are protesting for no apparent justification.
Mr. Antwi-Konadu noted that the law gives the university the right to protect its properties and as such the university will not sit on its oars on this matter.
“The law says that we should use all means to protect our properties and not just the University of Cape Coast, any state property and so that process began some time ago, and it is continuing.”
Find below details of the release by the University of Cape Coast.
Source: ATLFMNEWS
