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Amamole, Ablekuma lands not yours – SC declares
The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision, ruled on July 12, 2023, that Amamole and Ablekuma lands in the Greater Accra Region do not belong to Nii Ahinquasro Baddoo, Nii Kwaku Foso III, Albert Badu and Ofori Badu, who wanted to claim the said lands.
The five-member-panel of judges was presided over by Justice P. Baffoe-Bonnie.
The rest are, Professor Justice N. A. Kotey. Justice M. Owusu (Ms), Justice Lovelace-Johnson (Ms) and Justice E. Yonny-Kulendi.
The Supreme Court held that, the plaintiffs tried to subvert the existing judgement by re-litigating in a different suit, seeking to be given the capacity to deal with Ablekuma land for which they have been declared “to lack the capacity to do so.”
“Beyond the lack of capacity, the plaintiffs did not adduce cogent evidence to establish that, they are the owners of Ablekuma and Amamole lands and that, Amamole land is within Ablekuma land. He who alleges, must prove.
“The plaintiffs had the duty to prove their claim on a balance of probabilities and they failed to do so.
“The appeal of the defendants therefore succeeds and is hereby allowed. The judgement of the Court of Appeal dated 21st May, 2020, which affirmed the decision of the High Court dated 31st May, 2017, is hereby set aside, together with its consequential orders.”
The defendants, Nii Tetteh Okpe II (now deceased), Numo Narteh, Samuel Laryea, Eshmael Addo, James Tetteh and Joseph Lartey, appealed to the Supreme Court, after the High Court and the Court of Appeal earlier gave judgement in favour of the plaintiffs.
Dissatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, the defendants on May 26, 2020, filed an appeal, praying the Supreme Court to reverse the judgement of the Court of Appeal.
The plaintiffs were represented by Mr T. N. Ward Brew, while the defendants were also represented by Mr Christopher King.
By Francis Xah
The Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger action to promote gender equity and create more opportunities for women in the workplace.
She made the call in a Facebook post after joining staff at the Presidency of Ghana to mark International Women’s Day.
The celebration was held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Promoting Equity for Every Woman in the Workplace” and focused on recognising the achievements of women while reflecting on the work needed to ensure equal opportunities.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang extended warm wishes to women across Ghana and noted that women have always played key roles in the country’s communities and economic activities.
According to her, women in the past served as healers, traders and queen mothers who contributed to leadership and governance in traditional societies.
She explained that Ghana’s cultural history shows that women have long provided knowledge, leadership and innovation to help develop communities.
The Vice President however noted that current disparities require society to examine systems and structures that may have limited opportunities for women.
She stressed that advancing gender equity will require deliberate actions and the mentoring of young women to prepare them for leadership roles.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang recognised women whose work takes place in markets, streets and small trading spaces across the country.
According to her, these women form the backbone of local economies and continue to demonstrate resilience despite the difficult conditions they face.
She commended women working at the Presidency for their dedication and leadership and reaffirmed the need to promote respect, fairness and opportunity for every woman.
The Vice President further called on both men and women to work together to break barriers and ensure that women can fully contribute to Ghana’s development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
