He stressed that the company operates strictly within legal boundaries and does not support or employ landguards.

“It is a criminal act for any individual or company to use landguards. KOANS Building Solutions has never and will never engage in such activities,” Mr. Anokye said.

He explained that the company only sought police protection after some residents allegedly attacked its staff while they were working on land legally acquired by KOANS.

According to him, the Property Unit of the Ghana Police Service examined the company’s documents and verified the authenticity of its ownership before providing security to prevent further incidents.

Mr. Anokye further clarified that KOANS has not encroached on any land currently under a court injunction.

He noted that while a 720-acre parcel of land is subject to legal proceedings, the company’s ongoing development is taking place on its 1,500-acre registered property.

“There is a misconception about the land in question. KOANS is developing the 1,500 acres that belong to us and are duly registered. We have not touched the 720 acres that are under court injunction,” he explained.

KOANS Building Solutions, a Ghanaian-owned real estate company, is known for developing both residential and commercial projects across the country.

Although the firm has previously been linked to similar disputes, management insists that all its land acquisitions are legally documented and properly registered.

Source: Kwasi Agyemang

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According to residents, armed landguards believed to have been hired by the developer launched attacks on local youth and farmers, beating and intimidating them to vacate the land.

The incident has left many residents living in fear, with reports of injuries and widespread anxiety among peasant farmers whose livelihoods depend on the disputed land.

Speaking at a press conference, the Chief of Asantekrom, Baffour Asante I, accused the developer of unlawfully encroaching on community lands without any consultation or consent from traditional authorities.

“The landguards came with weapons and threatened to harm anyone who tried to work on the land. This is unacceptable. We are calling on the government to intervene immediately,” he said.

Baffour Asante appealed to the Ayensuano District Security Council to investigate the matter and take urgent steps to prevent further violence.

Community leaders from the affected areas are also urging the government and security agencies to protect residents and ensure justice is served.

They warned that continued harassment and forced evictions would disrupt food production and threaten the stability of the local communities.

“We depend on this land for our survival. Losing it means losing our livelihood,” one farmer lamented, calling for swift government action to restore peace and safeguard their rights.

Source: Kwasi Azor

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Following the announcement of election results on Monday, December 9, tensions were at an all-time high when the Ayensuano EC office was attacked.

There was tremendous condemnation after the suspects allegedly set fire to the facility during a protest.

Election equipment and supplies used in the recent general elections on December 7 were destroyed as a result of the incident.

The people were reassured by Chief Inspector Priscilla Nkrumah Peprah that the police will uphold law and order.

“The Ghana Police Service has arrested nine suspects in connection with the certain ablaze of the Electoral Commission Office at Ayensuano in the eastern region. This arrest brings the total number of suspects so far arrested in connection with the post-election disturbances to 106, all of whom are currently undergoing due legal processes.

“We wish to once again assure the public that the police and the other security agencies are committed to the protection of our communities to maintain law and order.”

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In her view, she was expecting a wider margin of victory based on the numbers, explaining that the low voter turnout was a key factor in the smaller margin.

“Looking at the figures, I was expecting a bigger gap. If more people had come out to vote, I believe I would have had a margin of at least 10,000 votes” she said in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show Wednesday.

Madam Asiedu secured 18,229 votes, narrowly defeating her closest contender, Teddy Saforo Addy, who received 17,182 votes.

Other candidates, Abrokwa Sintim and Learned Obiri, garnered 722 and 140 votes, respectively.

Despite the close margin, Madam Asiedu said the victory reflects the strong presence of the NPP in the constituency.

However, she attributed much of her success to her efforts in community development, particularly the completion of road projects within the constituency.

“I believe I was given the nod because I’ve worked hard to improve the lives of the people here. I’ve done a lot of roadwork, and I collaborated with some NGOs to bring development,” Madam Asiedu said.

In addition to infrastructure, Madam Asiedu stressed her work in providing mechanized boreholes for the community, further solidifying her image as a dedicated public servant.

Madam Asiedu also urged the people of Ayensuano to trust in her leadership.

“I will continue to do more for the people of this constituency. I’m committed to serving them and making their lives better,” she assured.

Her victory is also historic as she becomes the first female parliamentary candidate for the NPP in Ayensuano.

This marks a significant milestone for both Madam Asiedu and the party in the constituency.

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The team, led by its President, Madam Rebecca Adjei Sarpong, affectionately called Obaatanpa, made a significant donation to the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Ayensuano constituency.

At a spirited event held on November 26, 2024, the group presented 1,000 branded T-shirts and other campaign materials to invigorate the party’s campaign efforts.

Ayensuano, recognized as one of the constituencies adopted by Global Patriots Germany, is now a focal point for their vision of strengthening grassroots mobilization and securing a resounding victory for the NPP in the December 7 elections.

Strengthening Grassroots Engagement
Following the donation, Madam Rebecca Adjei Sarpong and her team joined forces with Ayensuano’s constituency executives for a vibrant day of community engagement.

Together, they embarked on a door-to-door campaign, reaching out to residents with a message of hope and development under the NPP’s leadership.

Speaking during the event, Obaatanpa emphasized the critical role of the Ayensuano constituency in the broader vision of retaining power.

“Our contribution today is not just about resources; it’s about igniting the passion and determination needed to win this seat. Ayensuano is a key pillar in the ‘Break the 8’ agenda, and we are here to ensure the voice of progress is heard loud and clear,” she stated.

A Renewed Sense of Purpose
The campaign activities reflected a renewed sense of unity and purpose, with residents warmly welcoming the team’s efforts.

The constituency executives expressed their gratitude for the diaspora’s involvement, noting that such gestures not only boost morale but also strengthen the party’s connection with the grassroots.

One local party executive remarked, “The support from Global Patriots Germany is a testament to the power of collaboration. Their dedication reminds us that the NPP is not just a party—it’s a family, whether at home or abroad.”

High Hopes for December Victory
As the NPP gears up for the crucial December 7 elections, the partnership with Global Patriots Germany is seen as a significant boost to its campaign in Ayensuano.

The community engagement efforts have instilled confidence among party faithful, with many expressing optimism about flipping the constituency to the NPP.

The donation of campaign materials, coupled with the house-to-house outreach, underscores a broader strategy to connect directly with voters and address their concerns.

Looking Ahead
Global Patriots Germany’s involvement in Ayensuano reflects a growing trend of diaspora organizations taking active roles in Ghana’s political landscape.

With days to the election, the NPP is counting on such collaborations to solidify its base and make inroads in key constituencies.

As Ayensuano residents don their new T-shirts and rally behind the party’s vision, the message is clear: the ‘Break the 8’ agenda is more than a slogan—it’s a movement powered by collective resolve and shared hope for Ghana’s future.

She underscored the significance of decentralisation and local governance in Ghana’s democratic landscape.

Speaking on behalf of President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday (February 12), she congratulated all elected assembly and unit committee members for their success in the recent district level elections.

The chief of staff reiterated the government’s commitment to deepening decentralisation, as mandated by the constitution, emphasising the role of district assemblies in promoting popular participation in governance and decision-making at the local level.

With the inauguration of 259 district assemblies, Osei-Opare noted the progress made in decentralisation efforts since 1988. She said that the government is now closer to the people than ever before, thanks to the expanded network of district assemblies.

However, she acknowledged that despite decades of decentralisation efforts, there is still a tendency among citizens to look towards Accra for solutions to local issues. She urged assembly members to change this status quo by actively engaging with their constituents and delivering basic public services at the local level.

“The instinct of the average citizen is still to look towards Accra or their MPs for things that fall within the remit of the district assembly. I am expecting that you would be part of the team that finally change the status quo and deepen local governance and decentralisation to enable the citizens have access to basic public services in their districts rather than demanding for such services from Accra,” she said.

Osei-Opare called for continuous capacity building and sensitisation efforts to deepen understanding of decentralisation and local governance among citizens.

She stressed the importance of building strong partnerships and collaborations with local structures, including urban, town, and area councils, to optimise the benefits of local governance.

“You should also establish strong partnerships and collaborate with the local structures particularly, the urban, town, zonal and area council, the unit committees and traditional authorities as well as other identifiable groups to facilitate the work of the District Assembly. It through these partnerships and collaborations that the ideals of local governance are optimized for the benefit of the people,” she said.

The chief of staff highlighted the government’s focus on improving the mobilisation of internally generated funds (IGFs) for district development. She urged assembly members to work together to create innovative ways of mobilising resources within their areas.

Osei-Opare reminded assembly members of their critical role in advancing the government’s development agenda, particularly the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (2022-2025). She stressed on the need for alignment with national and sectoral policies to ensure effective implementation of local projects and programs.

Furthermore, she addressed leadership challenges at the district level, noting the importance of maintaining close contact with electoral areas and consulting constituents on development issues.

She highlighted efforts to address resource constraints and announced upcoming orientation and training programmes to enhance assembly members’ competence.

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The submission, which took place on August 4, 2023, drew a sizable gathering of supporters, which included party officials, traditional leaders, and the public.

With his notable presence in the Ayensuano constituency, Mr Okraku-Mantey is emerging as a formidable contender for the NPP nomination. His prominence stems from his impactful contributions to tourism and creative arts.

During the submission of his nomination forms, Mr Okraku-Mantey expressed his dedication to advancing the development of the Ayensuano constituency.

His vision entails a focus on infrastructure, generating employment opportunities, and facilitating quality education and healthcare provisions for the local population.

Additionally, supporters conveyed their unwavering confidence in the potential victory of the Deputy Tourism Minister.

As the NPP prepares for its parliamentary primaries in November 2023, Mr Okraku-Mantey is poised to resonate strongly with those who perceive him as the optimal candidate to drive progress and prosperity within the area.

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Admitting Mr Okraku-Mantey possess some qualities, Mr Ayeh-Paye on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem stated he is not strong on the grounds.

Mr Okraku-Mantey on Friday picked his nomination forms to contest the NPP primaries ahead of the 2024 election.

According to him, the previous MP for Ayensuano failed to adequately communicate the achievements of the NPP in the area and in the region as a whole and had also failed to address the constituency’s challenges.

Stating he brings on board quality leadership, he noted that the major crisis at Ayensuano was one of leadership.

But to Mr Ayeh-Paye, his 12 years of experience and formidability on the ground leaves no room at all for a comparison with the aspirant.

He revealed the race is currently between him [Ayeh-Paye] and a female aspirant, Adwoa Asiedua who many affectionately call Obaa Naa.

“Mark Okraku is a third force. Maybe his publicity is because of the media presence but he has never stayed in Ayensuano and a lot of people who have heard the name knew he was working at Akropong so he is now introducing himself.

“He now attends outdoorings, church service and other social events to make his presence known and I only met him just last year,” he said.

Mr Ayeh-Paye noted an aspirant requires a lot of work to be able to win the hearts of constituents and the seat.

“Even me who had classmates and knew people in Ayensuano, I lost in 2020 so it takes time to familiarise yourself,” he added.

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Several supporters joined Mr Okraku-Mantey on Friday as he visited the constituency office to pick up his forms.

Addressing party members after picking his forms, he promised to be a unifier at the grassroots level and help the party recapture the seat.

The aspirant also urged the party members to work tirelessly devoid of parochial interest to build the party to the ‘Breaking the 8’ agenda.

The Ayensuano parliamentary seat was snatched from the ruling NPP, by the opposition National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Teddy Safori Addi.

The current NDC MP defeated then-incumbent, Samuel Ayeh Paye in the 2020 parliamentary elections.

Addy Saforo Teddy won by 19,221(47.31) votes against 18,970 (46.71%).

Already, Mr Okraku-Mantey’s posters have been splashed in some communities in the constituency.

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