Land guards BANNED with immediate effect

Accra, Aug. 4, GNA- The government announced on Wednesday that land guards, who claim they protect land for owners but with bloody consequences, have been banned with immediate effect saying their "unacceptable activities are in contravention of provisions of the Criminal Code".

A statement warned that the government would not tolerate the activities of land guards and the Ghana Police Service had been directed to mount an all-out war against them.

A statement signed by the Minister of the Interior, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, warned that the government would not tolerate the activities of land guards.

"The Ghana Police Service has been directed to mount an all-out war against the 'land guards,'" he said.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang said the government had noted with great concern the illegal activities of land guards who had become a law unto themselves.

"These 'land guards' use illegal fire arms, harassing and intimidating law abiding citizens and further promoting the proliferation of illegal arms in the country," the Minister said.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang said the activities of land guards had resulted sometimes in the death or injury of innocent persons as well as the destruction of property.

"Government has had to spend substantial resources to manage the situation caused by the activities of the 'land guards'. These resources could, of course, have been used for development activities in the country."

The statement said any person arrested for operating as a land guard would be prosecuted. Individuals hiring the services of land guards also commit an offence and would also be prosecuted. The Minister said any person who had information on the activities of land guards should give it to the nearest police station or directly to the Commissioner of Operations on telephone number 773917.