Comet Estates Under Siege: Landguards Assist Illegal Claimant To Encroach On Land At Brekusu 

Management of Comet Properties Limited has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the national security authorities to urgently intervene in what it describes as an escalating landguard operation, alleged criminal trespass, destruction of property and threats to residents and investors at the Comet Estate near Brekuso in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The company's leaders stated that they are issuing this distress call to President Mahama and national security authorities because local police cannot protect lives and property in the area.

They noted that the gang leaders are mostly foreigners. This includes a self-styled chief identified as Mawuko, who claims to be executing these acts of mayhem for the top echelons of the Ghana Police Service.

Consequently, local police officers are reportedly afraid to arrest them for criminal investigation.

The company says the alleged activities, which it claims have intensified over the past two weeks, have created an atmosphere of insecurity within the estate and raised serious concerns about the protection of private investments and the safety of residents.

At a press conference held at CometHill at Brekusu on Friday October 9, 2026, Director of Comet Properties Limited, Nana Yaw Adom, alleged that groups of persons armed with dangerous weapons have entered portions of the company's lands, destroyed property and attempted to sell disputed parcels to third parties.

He told journalists at a press conference that when the management of estate developing company confronted the illegal claimant to its land at Comet Estate, the developer claimed he had purchased the land from the Owoo family.

Nana Yaw Adom asserted that the company has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to advise the illegal claimant to stop trespassing on its legally registered land.

He further claimed that whenever the company confronted the illegal developer, the individual would drop the names of top figures at the Jubilee House and within the police hierarchy.

He alleged these officials were actively supporting the developer's encroachment on the company's registered land, which is situated near the Brekusu Police Station.

He commended President John Dramani Mahama for his prompt response to the petition, noting that the President had directed the Crime Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command to intervene, investigate the matter, and ensure that the law was upheld.

In acting on President Mahama's directive, a senior police officer invited both the management of Comet Estates and the illegal land developer to a meeting.

He noted that the police have instructed both parties to provide their legal indentures, certificates, and land documents so investigator can determine the true owner of the disputed property.

He pointed out that although the illegal claimant was warned to halt all development, he defied the order.

Instead, he hired masons and deployed heavily built land guards to continue constructing a house on the land, creating tension and insecurity within Comet Estate.

"As of today, Friday, October 9, 2026, while we were preparing to brief the press to expose these illegal activities, the masons and their laborers were busily constructing buildings on the disputed land, even though a special police investigator has been officially assigned to look into the matter," Nana Yaw Adom revealed after conducting journalists around the site to give them firsthand information on exactly what is happening on the disputed land at Comet Estate.

According to him, some of the individuals allegedly involved have claimed to be acting on behalf of influential persons within the Ghana Police Service and political authorities at the Presidency.

The company, however, stressed that the allegations are claims that require independent investigation and verification.

Call for presidential investigation

Nana Yaw Adom called on President Mahama to institute an inquiry into the alleged claims of political and police connections made by persons the company identifies as landguard leaders.

He said petitions on the matter had already been submitted to the Presidency, Interior Minister and and appealed for direct intervention to restore what he described as peace and sanity to the Comet Estate.

“Laws should work in Ghana. There should be order in Ghana,” Nana Yaw Adom said.

The company also called on the national security authorities to assist in dealing with what it described as an organised group allegedly operating on its lands.

Allegations against persons identified as landguard leaders

Management specifically mentioned individuals it identified as Nii Sowah Shippi, also known as Mawuko, Kwabena Debrah and a Nigerian national identified as Jeremy.

According to the company, Mawuko is allegedly leading a group of landguards operating in the area, while some of the individuals are alleged to have claimed connections to powerful persons within the Police Service or political leadership.

Comet Properties alleged that such claims have made some police officers reluctant to arrest or investigate the individuals.

The company did not provide independent evidence at the press conference to establish that the named individuals are in fact acting on behalf of senior police or political officials.

The allegations therefore remain subject to investigation and the right of the accused persons to respond.

Company traces dispute to land ownership claims

Comet Properties said it was established in 2002 as a real estate development company specialising in converting undeveloped land into planned communities and providing infrastructure for residents.

Its flagship project, the company said, is the Comet Estate, located within the Akuapem South Municipality.

According to the company, the estate covers approximately 1,500 acres and currently has a population of about 15,000 residents, although its earlier description at the press conference referred to a potential population of about 20,000.

Management said the development was undertaken under the appropriate planning arrangements and that the company acquired its interests from traditional landholding families in Brekuso, Akorpman and surrounding communities.

It said the company subsequently obtained planning scheme approval from the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly.

Company disputes alleged overlap with Odai Ntow family lands

A significant part of the dispute, according to Comet Properties, concerns competing claims involving the Odai Ntow family of Ashongman and Kwabenya.

The company referred to the historical Bosompim v. Martei (1904) judgment and related judgment plan, as well as a statutory declaration said to have been registered in 1977.

According to Comet Properties, the relevant documents establish the boundaries of lands associated with the Odai Ntow family and demonstrate that those lands are distinct from the lands acquired from the Brekuso traditional landowners for development of the Comet Estate.

The company insists that its lands do not overlap with the lands claimed by the Odai Ntow family.

Management, however, alleges that some persons associated with the Odai Ntow family have repeatedly entered portions of the Brekuso lands occupied by Comet Properties and purportedly sold parcels to third parties.

The company further alleged that landguards have been used to enforce such transactions.

These claims were presented by Comet Properties and have not, in the material provided, been independently adjudicated or established by a court.

Owoo family dispute

The company also outlined a separate dispute involving the Owoo family of Accra.

According to Nana Yaw Adom, Comet Properties acquired additional lands from the Asona family of Brekuso in 2002, part of which involved approximately 67 acres released to the Owoo family pursuant to a settlement between the Owoo family and the Asona family.

He said the Owoo family subsequently sold approximately 25 acres of the released land to Comet Properties for what he described as valuable consideration of about GH¢400 million, which the company said was fully paid.

However, Comet Properties alleges that in 2013, the Owoo family subsequently entered into transactions involving the same area and began selling portions of land adjoining the 67-acre parcel.

The company claims that landguards were subsequently deployed in connection with those transactions, resulting in multiple legal disputes and confrontations.

Seven foundations allegedly destroyed

One of the most serious incidents cited by the company allegedly occurred in November 2024, when persons said to be associated with Mawuko allegedly entered disputed portions of the Comet Properties development.

The company claims that seven building foundations were destroyed, with the total value of the damage estimated at more than US$500,000.

According to Nana Yaw Adom, the incident was reported to the police, but the company was dissatisfied with the subsequent response.

He further alleged that despite legal action and an injunction obtained against Mawuko and others, the group allegedly continued to operate on the disputed lands.

Comet Properties claims that as many as 50 persons have been maintained on the land as part of the alleged landguard operation.

The company is therefore asking the authorities to enforce existing court orders and prevent further destruction or occupation of the disputed properties.

Security concerns

Management said the alleged activities have gone beyond an ordinary civil land dispute and have become a security concern because of the alleged use of armed groups, threats and destruction of property.

It argued that disputes over land ownership should be resolved through the courts and other lawful mechanisms rather than through the use of force.

The company also expressed concern that repeated changes in political administrations could be exploited by land actors who allegedly invoke the names of newly appointed political authorities to pursue claims over disputed properties.

According to the company, such conduct undermines confidence in Ghana's land administration system and discourages private investment.

Impact on residents and investors

Comet Properties said the alleged insecurity poses a threat not only to its corporate interests but also to residents who have invested in homes and businesses within the estate.

The company described Comet Estate as a community of law-abiding residents who have invested substantial resources in the area and are entitled to protection under Ghanaian law.

It warned that continued clashes, alleged landguard activities and destruction of property could undermine the development of the community and create fear among residents.

Company seeks protection, enforcement of law

Nana Yaw Adom said Comet Properties was not asking for preferential treatment but for the enforcement of the law and protection of legitimate investments.

He urged the police, national security authorities and other relevant state institutions to investigate the allegations independently and ensure that persons found to have engaged in criminal conduct are dealt with according to law.

He also appealed to the President to investigate claims that persons involved in the alleged activities have links to senior officials within the Police Service or political authorities.

The company said it was prepared to provide relevant documents, including land acquisition records, planning documents, court processes, judgment plans and other materials relating to the disputed properties, to assist any official investigation.

Broader landguard challenge

The allegations come against the backdrop of Ghana's longstanding struggle with landguardism, a phenomenon that has frequently been associated with violent enforcement of competing land claims, illegal sale of land, threats to developers and destruction of property.

Legal experts and civil society groups have repeatedly argued that land ownership disputes must be settled through established legal and customary processes rather than through private enforcement groups.

For Comet Properties, the immediate concern is that the alleged activities at its estate could escalate unless state institutions intervene.

The company maintained that it remains committed to the development of the Comet Estate but insisted that such investment can only continue in an environment where the rule of law is respected.

“We are a responsible corporate organisation and need a peaceful environment to carry out our business,” Nana Yaw Adom said, reiterating the company's appeal for urgent state intervention.

Comet Properties Limited says it is seeking an independent investigation into the allegations, protection for residents and investors, and enforcement of all applicable court orders and laws governing the disputed lands.