Ashanti Muslim Women petition President Mahama over alleged “forceful” land takeover by Interior Minister

The Ashanti Muslim Women Association has formally appealed to President John Dramani Mahama for urgent intervention over what it describes as the unlawful takeover and construction on land it legally owns at Buoban in the Asawasi Constituency of the Ashanti Region.

At a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the association’s leaders, Zainab Abubakar Owusu and Habibatu Iddris, accused the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed, of forcefully occupying the property without following constitutional procedures.

In a petition titled “Petition for Presidential Intervention in the Unlawful Construction and Occupation of Land Lawfully Owned by Our Organisation at Buoban, Asawasi,” the group stressed that they were not opposed to development but were seeking constitutional protection of their property rights.

They explained that the land has been under their lawful ownership and management for over 20 years, acquired in good faith to promote educational and vocational opportunities, particularly for young women in the community.

2015 Proposal Revisited

The association recalled that in 2015, discussions were held regarding the voluntary release of part of the land for the establishment of a Nursing and Physician Assistant Training College. According to them, the discussions were purely based on consent and goodwill, with no compulsory acquisition involved.

However, the proposal did not proceed after one of the parties rejected it, a decision the group says was respected without dispute or coercion.

Alleged Unlawful Occupation

The association now claims that despite the earlier rejection of the proposal, construction has commenced on the same land without their approval. They questioned the legal grounds for the development, arguing that no Executive Instrument or lawful acquisition process has been presented to them.

They maintained that Ghana’s Constitution clearly outlines procedures for compulsory acquisition, including lawful authority, public purpose justification, proper publication, and fair process — none of which, they claim, have been demonstrated.

Minister’s Alleged Remarks

According to the group, when they visited the site to raise concerns, the Interior Minister publicly declared that he had taken the land and would not return it. They warned that such a statement, if accurate, undermines confidence in constitutional governance and property rights protections.

They emphasised that their stance is not against development but against what they describe as disregard for due process. The association insisted that the land is neither idle nor abandoned, as they have structured plans focused on empowering young women.

Call for Presidential Action

The group is requesting that all construction activities be halted immediately, that an independent and transparent review of the land’s ownership and acquisition status be conducted, and that constitutional safeguards be upheld.

Reaffirming their position, the association stated that public office does not override ownership and that development must not come at the expense of lawful rights. They expressed confidence that justice will prevail and urged the President to ensure adherence to constitutional governance and the rule of law.

Credit:kessbenonline.com