BY Grace Zigah
A dramatic demolition exercise at Pantang Village in the Greater Accra Region took an unexpected political turn after a man identifying himself as a supporter of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) claimed he had sacrificed 32 cattle to help the party win the 2024 general elections but was now being treated unfairly by the very government he supported.
The emotional outburst occurred during an operation by the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly to remove structures allegedly obstructing waterways as part of efforts to prevent flooding and enforce planning regulations in the municipality.
The exercise, however, descended into chaos when members of the Kingdom Palace Church resisted the demolition of their church building, leading to a confrontation with members of the Assembly’s task force.
In the midst of the confrontation, a man who appeared to be the pastor of the church attempted to stop the demolition, insisting that he was a loyal member of the ruling NDC and could not understand why his property was being demolished under an administration he claimed to have worked hard to help bring to power.
As emotions flared, the pastor repeatedly declared that he had made enormous sacrifices for the party during the election campaign and expressed disappointment that he was now facing what he described as unfair treatment.
“I’m an NDC member. I helped the NDC. I killed 32 cattle. You can ask General Mosquito,” he shouted while a member of the church recorded the confrontation on a mobile phone.
The man went further, claiming he had close links with senior figures within the governing party, including President John Dramani Mahama and NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, popularly known as “General Mosquito.”
“We are the ones who helped the NDC. I go to Mr. President’s house. I helped the NDC. I went to General Mosquito’s house. I sacrificed 32 cattle to help the NDC,” he repeatedly stated.
His remarks immediately attracted attention from bystanders as the demolition exercise continued amid heightened tensions.
The situation escalated further after a masked member of the Assembly’s task force allegedly confronted and struck the individual who was recording the incident on video.
The alleged assault triggered further confusion, with church members protesting the actions of the task force while continuing to film the demolition.
Despite the pastor’s repeated references to his political affiliation and claimed support for the governing party, members of the task force insisted that the exercise was being carried out in accordance with the Assembly’s mandate and that political affiliation would not exempt any structure from demolition.
Officials involved in the operation were heard telling the pastor that they were not interested in whether he belonged to the NDC or any other political party.
They also instructed him that while he was free to record the incident, he should avoid filming members of the task force directly.
The demolition formed part of a broader exercise by the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly to clear unauthorized structures and buildings obstructing waterways in flood-prone communities ahead of the rainy season.
Assemblies across the country have in recent years intensified similar operations as part of efforts to reduce perennial flooding, improve drainage systems and enforce planning regulations.
However, such exercises have often generated resistance from affected residents, religious institutions and property owners who argue that they were either not given adequate notice or believe they have legitimate claims to the land.
