Development Or Vandalism; Justice Suffering A Stroke In Lamashegu.

History holds it that, a lawless society is an equally chaotic society, and so, every society is mandated by the dictates of natural justice, to be governed by laws and principles. The premise of justice is birthed in an orderly and appropriate application of laws. A just society is in no doubt, a progressive society.

When justice is murdered in the eyes of law and order, a society becomes a grieved one. For the past month, some residents of Lamashegu South community in Tamale, have suffered a fate of grand injustice, meted out to them, all in the name of development. One will ask; why I describe their fate as injustice whilst talking about development. Call them anti-development and you'll be committing treason in their God's given rights as humans.

Development in infrastructure is a progressive news which is tasteful to every reasonable human being. Truly, there are humans who by all standard, are scientifically opposed to development: With varied reasons known to them. In most cases, these persons are coerced to accept the positivity dictates of development.

What is going on currently in the Lamashegu South community can only be described as vandalism and not development. Residents has been authorised to vacate their premises, following an ultimatum issued by the Chief's palace. The ultimatum, which is very short, has plunged these residents into a complete shock. What's even more shocking is the mob vandalism being orchestrated by a thug of youngsters who are strongly supported and motivated by the powers of the palace. Legimate questions therefore abound, whether a Chief is vested with the powers to demolish people's houses without knowledge of local or central government?

Government officialdom, when prompted with the news of these exercises, have written to dissociate themselves from the happenings in the area. Read below an official letter from the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly:

RE: COMPLAIN OF ALLEDGED DEMOLITION EXERCISE

Your letter dated 14th August, 2015 in connection with the above subject refers.

The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly wishes to dissociate itself from the purported demolition exercise at Lamashegu South Electoral Area and to indicate that neither the Department of Urban roads of the Assembly nor any institution has been mandated to undertake such and exercise.

We therefore entreat you all to exercise restrain and remain calm while we take steps to investigate the matter for an amicable solution.

We count very much on your cooperation.
Thank you.
For DCE
Abdul-Rahaman B. Ahmed
Assistant Director 1
Despite the contents of this very letter, some residents has forcefully been displaced and are currently wanting about. The cruelty in which residents has been condemned to, is heartbreaking. A young boy in his twenties who was away home to sit for an exams, came back to meet all his belongings destroyed as a result of the irresponsible mob injustice visited on his house. His story is, but one of the pathetic stories in the area. A blind man who's squatting in a two detached rooms with his wife was not spared the cruelty of the demolishers.

Leaders exist because there are followers. When I personally contacted the Assembly Man for the Electoral Area, his response was in line with the dictates of the orders of the Palace. Traditional rulers by our political setting, are partners in development, and not in destruction and vandalism. The Assembly Man has become voiceless because he has been coined into answering to Palace dictates. That's pathetic! Even in a jungle, animals live by laws and respect same.

I am appealing to the appropriate authorities to act impromptu to the growing lawlessness and gross disrespect for human rights in the Lamashegu locality. The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice(CHRAJ), Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana Police, Central Government, Member of Parliament, etc, must act swiftly to ameliorate the plight of the poor people in the area.

Abdul-Mumin Sofo Yumzaa
Resident
Lamashegu South, Tamale.
[email protected]