The Ayawaso West Municipal Chief Executive(MCE), Michael Mensah, says the Assembly cannot simply evict squatters from land they have occupied for a prolonged period without first engaging them and addressing their rights.
Reacting to reports of alleged charges for the eviction of squatters on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Mensah said the Assembly itself does not charge people for eviction.
He explained, however, that where people have occupied land for more than 12 years, the law requires that their interests be considered before they are removed.
“The Assembly cannot charge for eviction of squatters, but the law says that when people stay on your land for more than 12 years, you can’t just evict them. You must compensate them,” he said.
According to him, eviction is normally preceded by dialogue with the affected persons to determine how the situation can be resolved.
“It is not official. Normally before you evict these people, you must dialogue,” he stated.
Mr Mensah stressed that the Assembly cannot unilaterally remove squatters without making arrangements to settle the matter.
“The Assembly cannot just get up to evict squatters. You need to settle them,” he said.
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