Workers at the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research Animal Research Institute (CSIR-ARI) say they are afraid because of threats from land guards allegedly hired by private developers who are accused of unlawfully acquiring sections of the institute's land.
Professor Paul P. Bosu, Director-General of the CSIR, made the announcement in Accra yesterday while leading a delegation from the institution to check part of the grounds bought by the state at Frafraha in Accra decades ago for the purpose of animal research.
"Let no one fool himself into believing that any part of our territory may be seized unlawfully. We are telling individuals who are buying the property to stop doing so or face the consequences," he said.
Despite the warning notifications, he added, the trespassers invariably appeared with land guards wielding knives, firearms, and other weapons, describing the situation as unsettling.
"Physical assaults are on the rise, with numerous members of staff being injured by land encroachers. So we've come to see for ourselves and convince our team that steps will be made shortly to safeguard our research and development sites," he explained.
Observation
Even during the inspection, masons were working on a concrete block wall on the property, while others bolted when they noticed the CSIR team arriving.
A guy who looked to be involved in the building operations later informed CSIR authorities that he had just gone to the location to graze his cattle because the area was designated for animal research.
However, no livestock were visible at the time of the visit.
Measures
Dr Ebenezer Ansa, the Director of the CSIR-ARI, said his organization has suffered encroachment on its land throughout the years since it was acquired through an Executive Instrument.
He said that encroachers had taken over 800 acres belonging to the institute, leaving the institute with only 200 acres.
"All efforts to persuade the encroachers to cease their unlawful and criminal acts have failed. Instead, they endanger our workers' lives and cause disruption.
"Frequent police interventions frequently result in the disappearance of the land guards for several hours, only to reappearance as soon as the police depart," Dr. Ansa added.
He said that as part of the procedures to reclaim the property, his organization provided a 21-day warning on December 9, 2021, by posting notices on sections of the encroachers' constructions.
However, the action has had little effect.
Dr. Ansa stated that the institution will work with state authorities and the Adentan Municipal Assembly to reclaim the lands in the future.