Help us reclaim our lands - Pantang Psychiatric workers tell government
A group of workers, the Concerned Workers of the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, has called on the government to help halt the rampant encroachment on lands of the hospital.
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According to the group, about a third of the land space of the hospital has been encroached upon by private individuals, a development which was alarming.
At a press conference in Accra to express their displeasure at the level of encroachment of the hospital’s lands, members of the group also called on the Lands Commission, the Mental Health Authority, the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly and the Ministry of Health to help stop the takeover of the hospital’s lands.
The call
The leader of the group, Nana Boamah, stressed that immediate action must be taken to protect the lands.
According to him, the Pantang Hospital was originally planned to be a Pan African Mental Health Village but had currently lost its dream and glory.
He said efforts by management of the hospital to retrieve encroached upon failed as a court ruled that the land belonged to an estate developer.
Nana Boamah cited, for instance, that portions of the land of the hospital earmarked for expansion of the Pantang Training College, had been sold out, as well as lands for the Midwifery and Health Assistant Training School.
In addition, land for the Regional Medical Stores was being sold with impunity.
“Last year, we began this agitation to have the hospital reclaim its lands because some individuals claim they bought the land from some family members while others claim they have a judgement on the land,” he said.
He said the impact of the land encroachment, if unchecked, would result in a piece of land earmarked for the National Orthopaedics Centre, also being taken over.
Also, he said, portions of the land which were meant for a student hostel were fast being taken over by some unscrupulous individuals, leaving students with no other option than to pay exorbitant hostel fees for accommodation near the hospital.
The group, therefore, called on the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of the hospital before more lands are taken.