Apperkon, Zorku Families Demand Compensation, Issue Six-Month Eviction Notice Over Dodowa Market Land

The Apperkon and Zorku families of Dodowa have demanded compensation from government for the use of the Dodowa Market land over the past 35 years, while issuing a six-month notice to occupants to vacate the site.
Addressing a press conference, the families asserted that the land on which the Dodowa Market stands remains their lawful property and was never ceded to the state.
According to them, the land was made available about three and a half decades ago by the then chief of Dodowa, Nene Tetteh Apperkon, to government through the then District Chief Executive, Seth Kpabitey, strictly for the purpose of establishing a public market.
They stressed that the arrangement was conditional and did not amount to a transfer of ownership, noting that government was expected to provide periodic compensation for the use of the land — an obligation they say has not been fulfilled.
"For 35 years, the government has occupied and benefited from this land while failing, neglecting, and refusing to compensate the rightful owners as agreed," the families stated.
They further alleged that while no compensation has been paid, government has continued to generate revenue from the market through tolls, rents, and taxes collected from traders, estimated at about 1,000 market women paying roughly GHS 3,000 annually.
On that basis, the families claim the total revenue generated over the period amounts to approximately GHS 105 million.
"While the government has made an estimated one hundred and five million Ghana cedis from the use of this land, the lawful owners have not been paid compensation," they said, describing the situation as unjust.
The families also rejected recent assurances by government officials regarding plans to redevelop the Dodowa Market, arguing that such promises lack credibility given what they describe as decades of unfulfilled obligations.
They have therefore called for full and fair compensation and warned that continued occupation of the land without resolution cannot be sustained.
As part of their demands, the families issued a six-month ultimatum to all persons currently occupying the market land to vacate.
"Anyone remaining on the land after the expiration of this notice does so at their own risk and subject to the consequences permitted by law," the statement cautioned.
They, however, clarified that the decision is not targeted at traders but aimed at enforcing their rights and bringing closure to a long-standing issue.
The families indicated plans to redevelop the market into an ultra-modern facility that would better serve traders and the wider Dodowa community.
They also called on government, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders to engage them urgently to resolve the matter amicably.
The Apperkon and Zorku families reiterated their commitment to lawful action, peace, and development, but insisted they would no longer tolerate what they describe as the continued exploitation of their land without compensation.