Baba Sulley
Two Wulomei of Nungua, together with some aggrieved youth, stormed a disputed parcel of Nungua land over the weekend in what has now taken on a strong political dimension, accusing Alfred Mahama — brother of President John Dramani Mahama — of using family proximity to power to trample on the rights of ordinary citizens.
The protest, which took place on land currently under litigation at a Tema High Court, was aimed at resisting what the demonstrators described as an attempt to unlawfully seize Nungua Stool lands under the protection of political power.
The protesters named Alfred Mahama, Trasacco, the Okpelor Sowah Din Family of Teshie, and a certain Baba Sulley as individuals and entities allegedly flouting court processes by continuing development activities on land that is subject to ongoing judicial determination.
According to the aggrieved parties, the law is clear: no development should take place on disputed land until the courts have ruled. Yet, they claim the presence of power and political connections has emboldened certain actors to act with impunity.
Amid drumming, chanting and traditional rites, the Oofu Wulomo, Numo Agbee, and other Asafoatsemei poured libation and invoked ancestral curses against what they described as “powerful political figures and their collaborators” who are allegedly using influence and money to dispossess the indigenous people of their heritage.
Alfred Mahama
Speaking to the media at the site, Leslie Borquaye, a representative of the Nungua Stool, avoided delving into the legal merits of the case but made the political undertone unmistakable.
“This matter is before the court, so we won’t argue the details here. But what we are saying is simple: the land is being taken over while the case is ongoing, and one of the key persons mentioned is the President’s own brother, Alfred Mahama,” he said.
Borquaye further alleged that the situation deteriorated when Trasacco reportedly arrived with land guards and alleged security personnel, believed to be police or national security operatives, to continue work on the land.
“We were informed that they had brought land guards and some police or National Security people to continue development. That is why we rushed here to stop this unacceptable conduct,” he stated.
In a striking appeal that underscores the political sensitivity of the matter, Borquaye added:
“Everybody here voted for President Mahama believing he would bring good governance. We believe in his leadership. That is why we are pleading with him to call his brother and the rest to order. We are also serving notice to the IGP to call his officers to order if they are indeed involved.”
As the legal battle drags on, there are growing concerns that political influence is being placed above judicial authority, a development that threatens to weaken public trust in governance, accountability, and equal treatment before the law.
Clearly, the controversy highlights growing concerns over the misuse of state power and how proximity to the presidency can be exploited to sidestep justice and weaken the rule of law, echoing similar patterns witnessed during the previous administration under President Nana Akufo-Addo.
