President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has intervened in a long-standing land dispute between the Muslim community in Tema and management of Trasacco Company, ordering a demolition exercise at Trassaco Springs near Adjei-Kojo in the Tema West Constituency. The operation, carried out by a joint military and national security task force, pulled down walls and structures erected by encroachers that had blocked access to the African American Islamic Institute.
For years, pupils, teachers, and parents of the school were forced to scale a six-foot wall daily just to attend classes, following the takeover of portions of an 82-acre land originally acquired in 1981 by the late Sheikh Isa Kweku and the Adamu Osutei Family from the Tema Development Company (TDC). The land was earmarked for an ultramodern university complex under the African American Islamic Institute but was later used to establish a basic school as the first phase of the project.
At a press conference, Chief Sidick Jimah, Acting Chairman of the National Council of Zango Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Wuangara people, disclosed that over 80 percent of the land had already been lost to Trasacco and private developers. He lamented that the community has been battling armed land guards, threats, and harassment for years.
“Children and even mothers carrying babies had to climb over walls before accessing the school. This was unacceptable, and yesterday, when the demolition exercise started, those illegal structures were pulled down,” Chief Jimah stated.
The head of the Adamu Osutei Family, Imam Hassan Kwaku Issah Osutei, accused certain politicians, public officials, and security operatives of frustrating the community’s attempts to reclaim the land, alleging that some took bribes from Trasacco to abandon the matter.
The leaders expressed gratitude to President Mahama and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, for their support in securing the community’s rights. They also warned individuals and institutions to desist from further encroachment, stressing that the land remains the property of the Muslim Ummah for educational purposes.
“We welcome investors, but no investor should exploit the poor and vulnerable by taking over their lands. This land belongs to the Muslim Ummah and will serve generations to come,” the leaders declared.
Despite the demolition, the community reported renewed threats from alleged land guards, claiming that some were even released by the police after being arrested. The Muslim leaders have vowed to continue their fight to reclaim the entire parcel for its intended purpose—a landmark educational complex for the Zongo community.
