Clemence Gyato, the government-appointed consultant overseeing the reclamation of encroached lands
A government-appointed consultant tasked with reclaiming encroached state lands, Clemence Gyato, has issued warning to individuals and businesses occupying government lands without proper authorization, cautioning that they risk prosecution.
Speaking on the matter in an interview on February 25, 2026, Gyato stressed that no individual has the authority to allocate state land outside the legally mandated structures.
“If the land belongs to the government, the person who can give the land out to you is the Lands Commission.
“The land belongs to the government and everyone can run a search to know whether it belongs to the government or the Mempeasem chiefs. The government has taken the land and paid compensation, so nobody has any form of authority on such lands,” he said.
He further referenced President John Dramani Mahama, indicating that although the administration has adopted what he described as a more humane approach to land issues, due process remains paramount.
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“President Mahama says there should be a human face now, so if they want some of the government lands, they should follow due process,” Gyato said.
He added a stern caution, “Land looters who take government lands should desist from the act because all the state agencies are alert. All those doing business on government land will face the law. Nobody can take government lands unless it has been given to you through the right process.”
Gyato’s comments come in the wake of a petition calling for urgent intervention over alleged illegal land acquisition and intimidation in Mempeasem, East Legon.
The petition was submitted by Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw VI, Chief of Mempeasem, and addressed to President Mahama, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Inspector-General of Police, National Security agencies, human rights organisations, media houses and the general public.
In the petition, the chief accuses Gyato of engaging in unlawful attempts to claim ownership of lands in Mempeasem, allegedly relying on his past association with a previous government administration.
“Clemence Gyato is currently engaged in systematic and illegal attempts to claim ownership over lands in Mempeasem,” the petition states, describing the situation as a “severe and ongoing crisis.”
The petition further alleges that long-standing residents who have occupied their properties peacefully for over two decades are being targeted.
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