The Quartey Papafio family has secured a decisive legal victory in a long-running land dispute involving portions of their ancestral property at East Legon Hills, also known as Quartey Papafio Hills or Santor.
Addressing the media, Alfred Nii Quartey Papafio, son of the late Mr. Benjamin Quartey Papafio, said the judgment brings relief to a family that has endured years of alleged intimidation, land encroachment, and institutional setbacks following their father’s death.
According to him, their late father established the family farm in March 1971, engaging in cattle rearing and crop cultivation, and the family has maintained continuous possession of the land for nearly 57 years.
“After our father passed, some individuals began terrorising us, using land guards to seize portions of our land, sell them, and later regularise the theft with documents,” Alfred Papafio alleged. He further claimed that reports made to the police and the Lands Commission often worked against the family instead of protecting their interest.
The legal battle, which began in 2019, involved Milpar Investment & Developers Limited, trading as Oak Estate, with Chris Hammond as Chief Executive Officer. The suit challenged the alleged unlawful acquisition of 126 acres out of a larger 1,292-acre estate bequeathed to the family.
After nearly seven years at the High Court, judgment was entered in favour of the Quartey Papafio family. An appeal filed by the developer was subsequently dismissed. A further appeal, concluded only yesterday, was also ruled in the family’s favour, finally affirming their ownership rights over the disputed land.
“We are here today to celebrate justice,” Alfred Papafio said. “The courts have spoken clearly, and we will no longer tolerate any illegal activity on our land.”
He announced that the family has commenced a comprehensive audit of all occupants within the area. Individuals found occupying the land will be required to present documents for verification.
“If your documents did not originate from the Quartey Papafio family, we will involve the police for proper scrutiny,” he cautioned. “Where necessary, occupants will be invited to our office to regularise their acquisition before proceeding to registration.”
He used the opportunity to formally notify the public that anyone seeking to acquire land or conduct business at East Legon Hills must deal directly with the Quartey Papafio family.
“Any suspicious activity will be met with immediate court action,” he warned.
Alfred Papafio noted that next month marks 17 years since the passing of their father, describing the court victory as a fitting tribute to his legacy.
