Members of the University of Health and Allied Sciences Landowners Association (UHAS) in the Volta Region are gearing up for a massive demonstration through the principal streets of Ho.

The demonstration is to protest what according to them is government's refusal to pay compensation for land it acquired from members of the association.

They say government acquire the lands four years ago for the establishment of the University of Health and Allied Sciences based in Ho.

The notice for the impending demonstration was contained in a press release by the landowners association.

Explaining the issue, Secretary  of the association, Winfred Kwame Narccor-Tsey , said the Government of Ghana acquired the lands from them after it entered into an agreement with the Chinese government  for the construction of buildings to house the University Of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

He said claims by some government officials that the lands acquired by the state was offered by the Kokoroko family of Sokode are false.

He insists that the lands belong to individuals and families who have bought the land from the Kokroko and Sanu families of Sokode Etoe, adding that many of the individuals acquired plots of lands for the purpose of building dwelling places for their families.

"A large proportion of the land owners were using their lands for farming purposes and indeed there were food crops and cash crops on the lands when the contractor entered and destroyed the entire surface. For four years, the land owners have been prevented from going to the land for any activity whatsoever because of the construction works going on", he said.

The Chairman of the association, Mr Benone Glalah, also expressed disappointment at the four-year-old issue despite their efforts to get the government to do the right thing.

"It must be noted that landowners who acquired their respective plots for building purposes cannot build any more, while those who were farming on the land can no longer grow any crops for the upkeep of their dependants", Mr Benone Glalah lamented.

He said despite various promises made by the government to the owners that compensation due them will be paid, nothing has been done.

The members have however threatened to first demonstrate against the government and subsequently  take the matter to court if nothing is done by June 30 this year.