The Nungua Traditional Stool has accused the Chief Executive of Trasacco Group, Mr. Ernesto Taricone, of encroaching on a parcel of land belonging to the Stool despite a court injunction restraining development on the land.
The accusation was made at an alarm protest press gathering convened by the Nungua Stool, where elders, Asafoatsemei and youth of the town massed up to draw national attention to what they describe as unlawful takeover of their ancestral lands.
Addressing the media, the leadership of the Stool said the disputed land is an integral part of Nungua Stool lands, and that all efforts to protect it through lawful means are being undermined by ongoing development activities.
According to the Stool, the matter is currently before the courts and an injunction has been duly placed on the disputed parcel to restrain all parties from developing it until the final determination of the case.
The Stool however alleges that in flagrant disregard for the court order, Mr. Taricone and his company, operating as Trasacco and Enersto Tracony, have continued with development activities on the land.
The press conference, which was charged with emotion, saw the Stool making a passionate appeal to the Government of Ghana to intervene and enforce respect for the rule of law.
Leading the charge was Senior Asafoatse Shikpi Ablologo KaKai of the Nungua Stool, who spoke on behalf of the Nungua Mantse and the entire traditional authority.
He questioned the benefits Nungua has derived from the extensive operations of the Italian businessman on their lands over the years.
In his own words, he stated: “This Trasacco man is an Italian look at what he has done to our lands, with properties on our lands what benefits have we gained from this Italian man.”
He further alleged that court orders are being flouted with impunity due to influence and money.
“There is a court injunction on this land but Trasacco has paid his way out and is here working on the land,” the Senior Asafoatse told journalists.
The Stool leader did not mince words in calling on the highest offices in the land to act, making a direct appeal to the Presidency and the leadership of the Ghana Police Service.
“We are appealing to the President, the IGP Yohuno whose mother Hails from Nungua is watching on for our lands to be taken,” he lamented.
He demanded accountability for all persons who may be complicit in allowing the alleged illegality to continue despite a valid court order.
“Whoever is involved in this illegality must be brought to book,” he stressed.
The youth question was central to his presentation, as he asked about the social and economic return to the people of Nungua.
“What has been the benefit to the youth,” he quizzed, noting that while estates and properties rise on their lands, the indigenes remain marginalized.
He reiterated that the press gathering was not an act of lawlessness but a lawful call for state institutions to enforce their own decisions.
“We are using this medium to appeal to the appropriate authorities,” he said.
The Nungua Stool emphasized that it remains committed to peace and will continue to use appropriate legal channels to reclaim its lands.
It however warned that failure of the relevant authorities to act will erode confidence in the justice system and embolden land encroachment in the Greater Accra Region.
The Stool is therefore calling on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Lands Commission and the Inspector General of Police to step in immediately.
They want all development activities halted until the court finally determines the rightful owner of the land and the court’s directives are fully respected.
The elders say they will not cede an inch of Nungua land to any private developer under the guise of influence, and vowed to protect their heritage for future generations.
