I am a man of integrity — Dr Ahmed

A former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso-North, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, has denied media reports suggesting that he has unlawfully acquired a large tract of land at Prampram.

He said as a man of integrity and law-abiding  citizen who has contributed his quota to the well-being of the country, he would not engage in any unlawful acts to undermine the national interest.

A statement issued to the Daily Graphic by Dr Ahmed, who is also a former Sports Minister, said the land in question, including a factory building, equipment and dilapidated machines, was lawfully acquired in 1995 from the Non-Performing Assets Recovery Trust (NPART), specifically the former Prampram Brick and Tile Factory (PBTF).

“Due processes were followed in acquiring the tract of land and that anyone who purchased or leased the said land from a third party did so at their own risk,” the statement indicated.

According to the statement, “A publication on page 28 of the Friday, March 3, 2017 issue of the Ghanaian Times newspaper with the caption ‘disclaimer,’ which contained my picture and that of Mr Sulemana Suberu, and signed by the Kley Tsokunya Family of Prampram, Numo Awuley Kwao Family of Miotso and Annor We Royal family of Prampram, is a falsehood and actuated by malice and bad faith.”

Furthermore the statement added that the purchasers had peacefully possessed the land since its acquisition until they noted some trespasses by unknown persons on the land, a development that had generated some legal battle with the Kley Family, who are also claiming ownership of the land.

Reservation

The statement by Dr Ahmed described the publication as defamatory, given the fact that the seasoned politician was a man of integrity who had served the country diligently.

“Dr Mustapha is a gentleman and a man of integrity who has served the country in various capacities - as a commissioned army officer who retired at the rank of Major and a dentist who has served both in the country and outside in war zones. He has, until recently, been an MP for many years and a Minister of State. It is appalling that the editors of Ghanaian Times did not contact him before the said publication,” the statement added.

Narration

The statement further said NART advertised the assets of the factory, which were duly acquired by Dr Ahmed and Mr Suberu after a successful bid.

“We paid the valuable consideration for the said factory, including its assets, and appeared before the Non-Performing Assets Tribunal which was chaired by Justice Owuredu, after which we were granted the certificate of purchase for the factory, together with its assets. Subsequent to the said acquisition, we sought a review of the lease on the said land and same was granted by the Paramount Chief of Prampram at the time, the late Nene Tetteh Djan III, also a member of the Annor We Family of Prampram, in 1998 for valuable consideration,” the statement added.

Caution

The statement cautioned any person who is already occupying the land without authorisation from the rightful owners to vacate it or face legal action.

Meanwhile, those who leased the land from the two partners have been given an assurance that they have nothing to worry about.