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By Samuel Asamoah
Residents of Mataheko near Afienya in the Greater Accra Region are appealing to President John Dramani Mahama and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene following the demolition of homes, shops and restaurants in a family land litigation.
The affected property owners, who maintain that they legally acquired their respective parcels of land, are demanding investigations into the circumstances surrounding the demolitions and urgent measures to prevent further destruction of properties.
The demolitions have brought renewed attention to a protracted dispute within the Gberbie Ayiku Wem Lakple family of Prampram over family headship and the authority to administer and transact in lands in the Mataheko-Afienya area.
At a press conference, the family, led by its head, Francis Teye Numo Gberbie, dissociated itself from the exercise, insisting that the individuals behind the demolitions had no authorisation from its recognised leadership.
The family alleged that the exercise was undertaken by individuals it identified as Isaac Narh Masiakwa, Nana Oppong Isaac Masiakwa Obimpeh and others, with the support of persons it claimed were National Security operatives.
According to the family, bulldozers and other earth-moving equipment were deployed to pull down residential and commercial structures belonging to people who had acquired their lands through grants from the family.
It further alleged that some property owners were subjected to demands for substantial regularisation fees, with structures belonging to those who failed to pay subsequently demolished.
The family maintains that the demolitions were carried out without its knowledge or consent and is calling for investigations into the alleged involvement of state security personnel.
Protracted family headship dispute
Providing background to the dispute, the family said disagreements over its leadership and the administration of family lands intensified following the death of its former head, James Lartey Gberbie, in 2010.
It maintained that Francis Teye Numo Gberbie was subsequently selected by the elders and family members as his successor.
However, the family said the succession became the subject of litigation involving Alfred Afedi Quaye and Isaac Narh Masiakwa, following disagreements over the recognition of Gberbie’s leadership and the signing of land documents.
According to the family, an eight-year legal battle at the Accra High Court’s Land Division resulted in a judgment recognising Francis Teye Numo Gberbie as its legitimate head.
It further claimed that the Court of Appeal subsequently upheld his position and that contempt proceedings involving individuals accused of disregarding earlier court orders resulted in convictions and bonds of good behaviour.
The family also referred to subsequent Supreme Court proceedings concerning the administration of its lands, insisting that the decisions support its position that individuals acting outside the recognised family leadership lack the authority to administer its properties.
It said it had previously warned members of the public against dealing with persons allegedly collecting money for land regularisation without its authorisation.
The family cited a publication in the May 7, 2026 edition of the Ghanaian Times as part of its efforts to alert prospective land buyers and property owners to the dispute.
Calls for security intervention
Beyond the land ownership dispute, the family expressed concern over alleged threats against its head and some principal elders.
It specifically accused certain individuals of threatening the lives of Francis Teye Numo Gberbie and principal elder Esther Larteley Gberbie following disagreements over the authority to administer the disputed lands.
The family said it had petitioned President Mahama, the IGP, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, the Tema Regional Police Commander and the National Security Coordinator.
It is demanding investigations into the demolitions, the alleged involvement of security personnel and the circumstances under which the exercise was undertaken.
The family is also calling for protection for its leadership and members, warning that the continuing tensions could further threaten peace and security in the affected communities.
The situation raises broader concerns about the protection of property rights and the resolution of competing land claims, particularly where residents who claim to have acquired properties through legitimate transactions find themselves caught in disputes over family representation and authority to administer land.
The affected residents are appealing for urgent presidential and police intervention to safeguard their properties and ensure that the dispute is resolved through lawful processes.
