The La Youth Association has called for the resignation of the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Defense Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, accusing them of encroaching on La State lands and ignoring a presidential directive.
The association’s demonstration, which began on Tuesday, July 30, seeks to draw attention to what they describe as the unethical seizure of lands by political figures in the Greater Accra Region.
The protesters, representing various unions and associations within the La Traditional Area, demand the return of state lands, which they claim are being unfairly distributed among the political elite.
Central to their grievances is the Trade Fair land, encompassing areas occupied by Labadi Beach and La Palm Royal Beach Hotels.
The association alleges that the original landowners have not received the legally mandated compensation.
They express concern over the Prisons Service lands at Cantonments, which are slated for redevelopment by a private developer, with part of the land intended for private business use.
The protest encountered issues regarding its planned route, with the police warning they could not ensure the safety of the marchers if they proceeded to Kpletso, near Burma Camp, leading to a heated exchange with the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arhin.
The lead convenor of the protest, speaking in an interview, dismissed claims that the march intended to go to Kpletso, accusing the police of cowardice and reluctance to confront the military. “We are not going to the Kpletso land; the police are behaving like cowards.
They don’t want to encounter the military,” he stated. The protesters plan to proceed to Christ the King to present their petition to a government representative. Tetteh, a key figure in the protest, highlighted that the police’s refusal to provide security from the start forced organizers to arrange their own protection.
Emphasizing their lawful intentions, he declared, “We are not people who run away from anything. The commander knows me, and I’m not somebody who is running away. Come for me if you think we’ve done something untoward. But don’t try to suppress us.”
