The Administrator of the Dormaa Customary Land Secretariat in the Bono Region, Mr. Kofi Manu has warned the public against vigilantism, particularly land guard activities, which are criminalized under the new Land Act 2020 (Act 1036).
Speaking to journalists on 5th September 2025, he emphasized that individuals involved in such activities risk stiffer punishment.
According to him, the Land Act 2020 Act (1036) (C) says “personally or through another person unlawfully uses force or violence to prevent a person who has an interest in land from having access to the land or drives away that person with an interest in land from the land commit an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a term of commits of not less than five years and not more than fifteen years, or to both.”
The Administrator of the Dormaa Customary Land Secretariat emphatically declared that the Dormaa Paramount Stool reserves the rightful authority to claim ownership of lands within the Traditional Area, citing the Lands Act as the legal backing for this assertion.
Therefore, he advised residents interested in purchasing land on Dormaa stool lands to use the appropriate channels through the secretariat.
He cautioned farmers on the Dormaa stool lands, particularly those in Abesim, Chiraa, and other developing communities against releasing lands without authorization, warning that they risk prosecution.
As the secretariat responsible for community sensitization, Mr. Manu explained that their role is crucial, especially with upcoming projects like the railway lines and station in Chiraa.
He stated that the secretariat is undertaking community-to-community sensitization to educate people on customary lands amid the anticipation of the railway development in the Bono Region.
In a media interview Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Sunyani-based Ark fm on the sidelines of a sensitization forum at Chiraa in the Sunyani West Municipality, Mr. Manu emphasized the importance of following due process in land transactions.
Meanwhile, the Bono Regional Director of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, Mrs. Georgina Rockson has urged landowners to pay ground rent and property rates, stressing that it is a legal obligation.
She emphasized that failure to comply is a serious offence punishable by law.
Mrs. Rockson highlighted the office’s role in enhancing stool land revenue mobilization and disbursement to facilitate sustainable development and efficient management of stool lands.
The head of the Physical Planning Department at the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly, Mr. Awuah, Missah, has also advised land developers to seek guidance before erecting residential or commercial buildings.
He stressed that developers must meet mandated requirements, including obtaining permits and producing site plans, to avoid demolition.
Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani.
