BY Daniel Bampoe
Tensions are brewing in the Upper West Akyem District of the Eastern Region following allegations that officials of the Lands Commission are attempting to alter the long-established boundary between the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions without consultation with traditional authorities and local stakeholders.
The Concerned Youth of Adeiso, the capital of the Upper West Akyem District, have petitioned the Eastern Regional Minister, demanding immediate intervention and a full-scale investigation into what they describe as an illegal and unofficial attempt to redraw regional boundaries.
In a strongly worded petition dated June 5, 2026, the group accused the Lands Commission of pursuing a boundary adjustment exercise without engaging key stakeholders, including the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, the Asamankese Division, the Adeiso Traditional Area and residents of communities that could be affected by the alleged changes.
According to the petitioners, the purported boundary alteration has already begun creating uncertainty among landowners, developers and residents within the southern corridor of the Upper West Akyem District.
The group argued that any attempt to alter regional boundaries without due consultation threatens not only administrative order but also the peace and stability of communities with deep historical and traditional ties to the affected lands.
The petition highlighted growing concerns that the alleged changes have created confusion regarding land ownership, administrative jurisdiction and property registration within parts of the district.
The youth group claimed that the situation has negatively affected residents, including complications involving GPS address systems and land registration processes.
According to them, the uncertainty has also attracted land guards, unauthorized land claimants and individuals allegedly seeking to exploit the confusion for personal gain.
The petitioners alleged that some groups from parts of Greater Accra have begun making claims to lands within areas traditionally regarded as belonging to the Akyem Abuakwa State, particularly around the southern boundaries of the Upper West Akyem District.
They further claimed that the alleged boundary dispute has emboldened criminal elements and increased incidents of extortion targeting prospective developers and landowners.
The group accused some individuals of using the purported boundary changes to justify demands for payments from builders and investors operating within the area.
A major aspect of the petition focuses on historical claims regarding ownership of lands located around communities such as Domeabra, Ashalaja, Obom and surrounding areas.
The petitioners referenced historical legal decisions dating back to the colonial era, arguing that previous judicial determinations recognized certain lands as belonging to the Asamankese Division and, by extension, the Akyem Abuakwa State.
According to the group, these historical records should be taken into account before any administrative decisions affecting boundaries are made.
The Concerned Youth of Adeiso maintained that the territorial integrity of the Eastern Region must be protected and insisted that any boundary review process should involve extensive consultation with traditional authorities, local communities and all relevant stakeholders.
They argued that decisions of such significance cannot be undertaken through what they described as unilateral administrative actions.
The petition also called on the Eastern Regional Minister to engage the Presidency and facilitate the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the allegations and determine the facts surrounding the purported boundary alteration.
According to the petitioners, an independent investigation is necessary to establish transparency, address public concerns and prevent further escalation of tensions.
The group warned that unresolved disputes over boundaries and land ownership have the potential to trigger serious conflicts if not handled carefully and transparently.
They stressed that while they remain law-abiding citizens committed to peaceful engagement, authorities must treat the matter with urgency to avoid unnecessary tensions within the district.
The petition places responsibility on the Eastern Regional Minister to ensure that the interests of the region and its residents are protected while engaging relevant state institutions to clarify the situation.
The allegations have reignited broader discussions about land administration, traditional boundaries and the role of state institutions in resolving disputes involving territorial jurisdictions.
