The Guma-Naa Traditional Authority in Kakpagyili, Tamale South Constituency, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in a dispute surrounding the use of traditional land for the construction of a government-funded STEM school project.

The traditional authority is seeking what it describes as an urgent presidential intervention to prevent the alleged abuse of public authority and facilitate an amicable resolution between the traditional authority, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, security agencies, and other parties connected to the project.

In the petition addressed to President Mahama through the Executive Secretary to the President at Jubilee House, the Guma-Naa stressed that it is not opposed to the construction of the school or development initiatives in the community.

According to the traditional authority, its principal concern is the alleged failure to adequately consult the customary custodians of the land before activities related to the project commenced.

The Guma-Naa said the disputed parcel of land falls within the Guma-Naa Skin Lands at Kakpagyili and is under its traditional jurisdiction and custodianship, with the Silimboma Naa serving as a sub-chief within the Guma-Naa traditional structure.

The petition stated that the traditional authority has historically supported government development projects and has facilitated the provision of land for educational, health and other public infrastructure.

It therefore expressed concern that the current dispute had escalated to the involvement of the police and military rather than being resolved through dialogue, consultation and mediation.

The Guma-Naa Traditional Authority alleged that traditional leaders and persons connected to the authority had been invited to the police station in connection with the land dispute.

It expressed concern that the involvement of security agencies in what it considers to be substantially a dispute over customary land ownership, custodianship and procedure could create the perception that state power is being used to pressure traditional authorities into accepting the project.

The traditional authority, however, acknowledged the constitutional responsibility of the Ghana Police Service to maintain peace and protect life and property.

It appealed for the security agencies to remain neutral and ensure that their involvement does not amount to intimidation or the determination of contested customary land rights.

The petition also raised concerns about the role of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly and the Mayor of Tamale in the matter.

The Guma-Naa said traditional authorities should not be regarded as obstacles to development, arguing that they have historically collaborated with government and other development partners to make land available for public infrastructure.

The traditional authority therefore called for greater engagement between the Assembly and the customary authorities to resolve the disagreement without further escalation.

The petition further referred to the contractor involved in the project, identified as Mr. Alhassan, and raised concerns about the circumstances under which construction activities were being undertaken on the disputed land.

The Guma-Naa clarified that its concerns were not directed personally at the contractor and that it did not oppose the execution of the school project.

It argued, however, that the award of a government contract to construct a public facility should not, by itself, be interpreted as conferring ownership or unrestricted rights over the land on which the project is being undertaken.

The traditional authority also invoked Article 267 of the 1992 Constitution in making its case, arguing that constitutional provisions governing stool and skin lands require due recognition of the rights and interests of traditional custodians.

It maintained that customary authorities should be appropriately consulted in matters involving the administration and development of lands under their jurisdiction.

The Guma-Naa consequently called for the land issue to be properly resolved before activities that could deepen tensions continue.

Among other things, the Guma-Naa is asking President Mahama to facilitate a formal mediation involving the traditional authority, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, the project proponents, the contractor and other relevant stakeholders.

It also wants activities on the disputed portion of land to be suspended, where necessary, pending an agreed resolution.

The traditional authority further appealed for the police and other security agencies to focus on maintaining peace and security without becoming instruments for determining or enforcing contested customary ownership of land.

The Guma-Naa emphasised that its opposition is not to the development project itself.

The traditional authority said it wants the STEM school to succeed and for residents, particularly young people, to benefit from quality educational infrastructure.

It argued that development and customary land rights can coexist if government institutions, traditional authorities, contractors and communities engage one another through consultation, mutual respect and due process.

The petition concluded with an appeal to President Mahama to intervene before the dispute degenerates into confrontation between traditional authorities and state institutions.

The Guma-Naa expressed confidence that presidential mediation could help resolve the immediate land dispute while strengthening relations between government and traditional authorities in Northern Ghana.

Report By: Robicon Mornahson