In Tebu, the Ga South Municipality of Greater Accra, a tragic incident unfolded at a construction site where armed land guards fatally shot one person and injured three others.
The assailants demanded GHC4000 as a digging fee, despite the workers’ assertion that they had already paid another group earlier in the week. When the workers refused to comply, the situation escalated into violence, resulting in one fatality and three injuries.
One of the injured workers, Felix Akunnor, recounted the chaotic scene where armed men arrived and started shooting without regard for safety or reason.
He emphasized that the workers were law-abiding individuals simply carrying out their duties on land legally acquired from a recognized developer.
“The men who came later were wielding guns and machetes and started firing at us. Four of my brothers were hit by a bullet including myself who sustained gunshot wounds to the foot. Together with my other colleagues, we took to our heels for fear of being shot at. The land guards fired at us without hesitation.
“We were not armed so I find it difficult to understand why these land guards will behave in this manner. We were just visiting our site as any ordinary Ghanaian would do. The estate developer who sold that land to us is our brother so it is not like we bought the land illegally, “ he added.
Local assemblyman, Ebenezer Ahortor expressed frustration over the longstanding menace of land guards in the area, noting repeated complaints to authorities that have gone unanswered.
He highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in effectively addressing such incidents due to limited resources, including inadequate patrol vehicles.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding security and law enforcement in land-related disputes within the region, underscoring the need for stronger measures to protect residents and workers alike.
“These landguards attacked some community members and I reported to the Divisional command. There is a military man in this area who has vowed to fight the menace and he woke up one morning with a coffin at his doorstep. Today they have attacked some construction workers killing one in the process and injuring three others.
“The command is doing its best but they don’t even have a vehicle to patrol. I want to tell the IGP to support this police station with vehicles for patrols.”