35 Acres of Sunyani Technical University land taken over by encroachers
About 35 acres of land belonging to the Sunyani Technical University (STU) have been taken over by encroachers, a situation that has crippled the institution’s plans to expand its infrastructure.
The Vice-Chancellor of STU, Professor Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, described the encroachment as one of the most serious challenges confronting the university, warning that it was worsening the already dire accommodation situation faced by students.
He explained that the loss of the land was having a direct impact on students’ welfare and the university’s long-term expansion plans.
“We urgently need the land to build more hostels, lecture halls and laboratories to support our growing population.
The encroachment is seriously affecting our development,” he said.
“Currently, our student population stands at 10,000, but our existing hostels can accommodate only about 1,000 students.
That means nearly 9,000 students have to find accommodation elsewhere,” he told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.
Background
He explained that the affected land was originally part of the Sunyani Secondary School lands vested in the government in 1967 for the establishment of the Sunyani Technical University.
However, in 2014, he said a family claiming to be the original owners of the land demanded compensation from the university, leading to multiple lawsuits.
“After forwarding their request to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, we were served with court summons. While the case was pending, people started building on the land.
We demolished over 30 structures, but they returned and sued us again. We currently have 11 cases before the Sunyani High Court,” Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah recounted.
He said efforts to fence the area and protect it from further encroachment had been met with violent resistance from the developers.
“When we tried building a wall, they demolished it. Even signboards we mounted were removed. Now, if you go there, people chase you with machetes,” he lamented.
PAC’s response
Responding to the concerns, the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Abena Osei-Asare, described the development as unacceptable and urged the university to work closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to establish whether compensation was ever paid to the family.
“If compensation was not paid, that must be determined and addressed. But if it was paid, there should be documentary proof.
Either way, the law must be enforced,” she said.
Mrs Osei-Asare also advised the university authorities to collaborate with regional security agencies to prevent further encroachment, stressing that it was unlawful for private individuals to seize government-acquired land while the case was still in court.
“We cannot have a situation where a family claims ownership of government-acquired land and starts developing it while litigation is pending.
You must engage the Ministry of Lands directly, follow up with the relevant documents, and work with the regional security council,” she urged.
She assured the Vice Chancellor of the committee’s support in helping the university reclaim its land, saying the issue affected not only the institution’s future development but also the welfare of thousands of students.
“Professor, we are with you on this. But you must also take the initiative to follow up and engage the relevant ministries so that together we can make a strong case to government and ensure the university reclaims its land,” Mrs Osei-Asare added.
