The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has initiated legal action against the Lands Commission and two private individuals over what it describes as the unauthorized allocation and development of a portion of the Old Market land in the Tamale Metropolis.
In a writ, filed at the High Court in Tamale, cites the Lands Commission (Northern Regional Office), the Attorney General, Comfort Boaye Amankor, and Rocksam Global Limited as defendants.
TMA is seeking the cancellation of land allocations it says were made without its consent and in breach of statutory planning and development procedures.
According to the Assembly, the land in question forms part of a designated public space planned for commercial and municipal use under the approved Tamale Planning Scheme.
The TMA argues that the Lands Commission overstepped its mandate by reallocating the area to private developers without recourse to the Spatial Planning Committee and contrary to existing land-use approvals.
The Assembly contends that the alleged allocations and subsequent developments at the site violate Ghana’s land administration laws, particularly the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), which requires such decisions to be guided by local planning authority approvals.
The TMA is asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining the private defendants from further construction, leasing, or any form of development on the land.
It is also seeking an order compelling the Lands Commission to reverse any approvals, restore the land to its previous status, and regularize all future decisions in consultation with the Metropolitan Assembly.
Additionally, the Assembly wants the court to declare that any titles issued in respect of the disputed land are null and void.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between municipal assemblies and the Lands Commission regarding control over land management and planning authority in urban centers.
The writ was filed by Ian Aniahote Adamgbe Esq., counsel for the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. No hearing date has yet been set.
Report By: Robicon Mornahson
