There was a near-violent clash between personnel from the Greater Accra Regional Police Command and soldiers from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Army over a disputed parcel of land in Teshie. The soldiers were allegedly providing landguard services, despite a police directive barring all parties from trespassing.
The confrontation occurred when officers from the Greater Accra Regional Police Command were dispatched to halt ongoing construction on the disputed land, located behind the LEKMA Hospital. The Regional police command had previously directed that neither party should access the land until the legitimate owner was determined by the court. However, upon arrival, the police were ambushed by military personnel reportedly guarding the site on behalf of one of the disputing parties, in defiance of the police directives.
Sources indicate that the situation could have escalated into an armed confrontation if not for the restraint and professionalism of the police, who were acting on their mandate. Despite multiple calls from senior police officials, the soldiers, who were led by one WOI Paitu refused to leave the very site where they had been occupying illegally for over a week. At one point, the military personnel on the orders of WOI Paitu threatened to shoot any police officer attempting to stop the construction work.
The hour-long standoff between the police and soldiers attracted the attention of local residents and property developers. Many expressed outrage at what they described as the unprofessional conduct of the soldiers, accusing them of harassment and intimidation in the area.
Several residents criticized the military’s leadership for allowing their personnel to engage in landguard activities, which are illegal under Ghanaian law.
Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional Police Command has have began investigations into the matter. The command has warned to deal with any person behind Monday’s incident.
