Ghana apologises to Nigeria over demolition of structure in Accra

graphic.com.gh Jun - 22 - 2020 , 17:33 2 minutes read

The government of Ghana has apologised to the Nigeria High Commission in Ghana following the demolition of a storey building on its premises said to be at the centre of a land litigation.

The building was demolished at the weekend.

Some men said to be armed with the assistance of a bulldozer broke through the locked gate and pulled down parts of a one-storey building which was still under construction on the compound.

Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on Monday, June 22, visited the scene of the incident and said, “we are sorry this has happened.”

She also assured that the ongoing investigation into the matter would be transparent.

“We will ensure that whatever the outcome is, we will not hide it from the people of Ghana or the people of Nigeria. It will be laid bare,” she said.

Ms Ayorkor Botchwey stressed that the incident was “not a government-sanctioned activity” adding that "our government respects the rule of law."

On the links between the demolition and the Osu Stool, she said the matter would also be investigated.

The Minister retorted that even if it is a disputed land, the government expected that “the persons [must] go to court because that is the normal way of dealing with such matters in this country."

"But for this to happen, it's so unfortunate. We haven't seen any court order...this is most unaccaptable and we condemn this action," she added.

Following the High Commission’s Charge D’ Affairs, Esther Arewa, describing the situation as “traumatic” Ms Ayorkor Botchwey said the commission will receive the required security.

“I can assure you that we will continue to provide you with protection as you are a diplomatic entity and therefore we will not allow anything untoward to happen,” she said.

“The relations between our two countries are too strong even if there there is any kind of dispute, for it to end in something like this. This shouldn’t happen between Ghana and Nigeria.”

In response, Esther Arewa was hopeful that the investigation will bear fruit.

“We look forward to the Ghanaians government apprehending the culprit behind this and bringing him to book and also that within the shortest time frame, this building is put back up and the premises prepared.”