A legal battle has erupted between Vice President Dr Bawumia’s Senior Policy Advisor, Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu, and the Ghana Prisons Service over a disputed piece of land at Roman Ridge.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has brought the issue to light by sharing court documents on social media, revealing the ongoing litigation.
In a post on X, Ablakwa expressed his concern over what he describes as a “war against despicable State Capture.” He accused Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu, who also serves as the Board Chair of La Palm Royal Beach Resort, of not only mismanaging the resort but also laying claim to prime land allocated to the Ghana Prisons Service since June 28, 1950.
“This our war against despicable State Capture isn’t going to be an easy one,” Ablakwa wrote. “The information many public servants are sharing with me is most frightening.”
According to Ablakwa, Prof. Appiah-Adu has taken legal action against the Ghana Prisons Service, seeking to prevent them from obstructing his use of the disputed land. The situation escalated when Prof. Appiah-Adu allegedly used national security operatives to demolish a fence built by the Prisons Service to protect the property.
“The Vice President’s top advisor has dragged the helpless Ghana Prisons Service to court demanding that they stop preventing him from enjoying his acquisition,” Ablakwa stated. “In a show of vice-presidential power, Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu used national security operatives to demolish a fence constructed by the Ghana Prisons Service to secure their land.”
The court case continues, with the Prisons Service and the Attorney General’s Department appealing to halt Prof. Appiah-Adu’s claims. Ablakwa highlighted the broader issue of state assets being sold off, citing examples of SSNIT hotels, parks and gardens, beachfront properties, public bungalows, and prison barracks.
“From our SSNIT hotels, parks and gardens, beachfront, public bungalows, prison barracks, 5G, and now the Roman Ridge Borstal Institute lands — Ghana is simply on sale!” he declared.
Ablakwa commended former President John Mahama for promising major investigations and repossession of public lands if he assumes office on January 7, 2025. In the meantime, Ablakwa vowed to continue resisting what he termed “lootocratic schemes” both within and outside Parliament.
“State Capture shall be defeated!” he concluded, urging the public to support the fight against the alleged misuse of state resources.
The outcome of the court case remains uncertain as the Prisons Service and the Attorney General’s Department pursue their appeal.