Residents of Community 25, Savannah Junction area near New Dawhenya in the Tema enclave, have been evicted following the enforcement of a court ruling in a long-standing land dispute that ended in the demolition of several structures.
One of the affected residents, Janet Baidoo, recounted the distressing experience, saying she and her family had legally acquired their property about 11 years ago and had no prior notice that the land was under litigation.
“We acquired the house and land with my mum and siblings about 11 years ago. It was a fully completed building, and we never heard anything about any dispute,” she told Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem.
She explained that the eviction began unexpectedly when security personnel arrived at the area.
“On Wednesday morning, I was called that police and soldiers had surrounded the area, asking everyone to evacuate because there was a court case they had won,” she said.
According to her, the situation was confusing as residents were unaware of the final legal outcome and had previously seen different parties lay claim to the land.
“Another party had also claimed to have won a case before, so we were confused about what was happening,” she added.
Janet said the operation involved police officers, military personnel and bailiffs who entered homes and began removing residents’ belongings.
“They entered every room and started packing our things outside. We didn’t know what to do, so we started calling the people who sold the land to us, but they were not responding,” she recounted.
She further noted that residents attempted to seek intervention from local authorities.
“We went to meet the MCE at Prampram, and we were told to remain calm because discussions were ongoing,” she said.
However, she said the demolition resumed days later despite ongoing efforts to resolve the matter.
“Last Saturday, during heavy rain, they stormed the place again. My brother rushed there and saw that the area had been cordoned off with bulldozers, and our house—built with our hard-earned money—was being pulled down,” she said emotionally.
“My elderly mother, who is over 70 years old, has been crying since,” she added.
Meanwhile, other affected residents say they are devastated, alleging they were caught between multiple competing land claims and repeated payments to different individuals who presented themselves as owners.
The demolition has reignited concerns over persistent land litigation and multiple sales of the same property within parts of the Tema enclave, leaving many families displaced and uncertain about their future.
ALSO READ:
Tema–Afienya–Akosombo road demolition sparks outrage over lack of compensation
Tema Site Three residents protest ‘forceful’ eviction by TDC [Listen]
