The Administrator of the Prampram Customary Land Secretariat, Evans TN Nartey, has assured groups and individuals who own lands around a now-settled disputed boundary between the Prampram and Shai Traditional Areas not to panic, because they will not lose their lands.

The two traditional areas have both claimed ownership of vast lands which have often led to violent clashes, arrests and court appearances. But years of negotiations spearheaded by the Lands Commission and some interested elders from both sides, have brought finality to the dispute.

The resolution was made purposely due to the acceptance of a Jackson Report by the two families.

At a press conference on Saturday, February 22 to officially announce the resolution to the boundary dispute, in Prampram, Mr. Nartey, who was flanked by elders from the four divisions in the Prampram Traditional Area, said due to the demarcation carried out with supervision from the Lands Commission, names on land documents in the hands of persons may have been affected but advised such persons not to panic, since steps have been taken to ensure they do not lose their lands.

“Anyone who may have bought lands on and around the boundary stretch from the Shai Traditional Area and have unfortunately been affected by the demarcation exercise, do not panic. Be assured that the land-owning divisions, clans’ families and individuals have put necessary measures in place to address and redress the situation through Prampram customary land secretariat.”

As to why the Jackson Report, a document covering settlement put together by a British colonial official in the 1900s, Mr. Nartey said the document provides accurate details about land ownership in the traditional areas, and it is something both sides are familiar with and have agreed to its content.

He added that the establishment of the Prampram Customary Land Secretariat was equally key to the resolution of the dispute since it provided a single space for all the families to negotiate from a single pot.

“All land-owning divisions, clans, families and individuals from which the outfit derives its operational mandate from the Lands Act 2020 (Act 1036) under the supervision of the office of the administrator of stool lands, “ he asserted. 

Also, Nene Ayiku Obleh Adebontenya IV, Divisional Chief of Kley and President of the Prampram Customary Land Secretariat affirmed the commitment of the divisional heads of the four quarters of Prampram Traditional Area to the agreement and reiterated their commitment to ensure differences that had led to bad blood and unfortunate violent clashes are put behind them.

He said the establishment of the secretariat is to assist in the effective management of the traditional lands while building trust and confidence in the business of land administration.

Family heads from Olowe, Kley, Annor We and Lakpleh divisions were present at the press conference.