The Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbey, has defended his role in a disputed demolition exercise carried out by the Municipal Assembly, insisting his intervention was aimed at preventing escalation and ensuring due process.
His comments follow tensions over the demolition of structures linked to a land dispute involving “Peaceful Settlers” and a private developer, an issue he says had already been taken to court.
According to him, he first engaged both parties after being briefed on the long-standing disagreement over ownership and development of the land.
“When this matter broke up, I did not know anything about Peaceful Settlers. I invited them and their leadership to my house,” he explained.
He said both sides later met him at his office, where it emerged that the case was already before the courts, limiting his ability to intervene directly.
“As a lawmaker, I can never interfere in a matter that is pending before a court. Not even the President of the Republic can interfere. That is the fundamental principle,” he stated.
Mr. Norgbey added that discussions at the meeting revealed the possibility of a negotiated settlement between the parties, but disagreements over proposed terms stalled progress.
He further disclosed that he instructed the private developer to suspend work temporarily while efforts were made to resolve the matter amicably.
However, he said he was later alerted that the Municipal Assembly had begun demolishing structures on the site, prompting him to rush to the scene.
“When I arrived there, I had to stop the assembly from the demolition,” he noted.
The MP insisted that his actions were not an interference in official duties but a response driven by concern for peace and his engagement with affected parties.
“I have not seen any judgment. I acted based on the relationship and information brought to me by the people who came to my house,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly is yet to respond publicly to comment on the exercise, which reportedly destroyed about 50 shops.
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