Residents living around the Ashaiman Traffic Light and Ashaiman Fitter-Line have disassociated themselves from a group calling itself the Peaceful Settlers Association, insisting the group has no legitimate claim to lands in the area.

The clarification comes after a clash last week between members of the Association and the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) in the Greater Accra Region during a decongestion exercise to clear traders and unauthorised structures from pavements and roadsides.

The Association, whose shops were marked for demolition, resisted the exercise, claiming they had purchased the land from the Tema Development Company (TDC).

They further accused ASHMA of attempting to seize the land on behalf of businessman Alhaji Rahim.

However, at a press conference, residents dismissed those claims, stating that the Association does not represent them.

They explained that their members merely operate businesses along the roadside but return to their actual homes elsewhere.

According to the residents, checks at the TDC confirmed that no such allocations had been made to the group, alleging that any documents being used to justify its ownership were “fake and forged.”

Ishmael Saeid, Chairman of the residents, also refuted accusations against Alhaji Rahim, stressing that the businessman had legally acquired his land through proper agreements with the rightful owners.

He urged the public to disregard the Association’s claims and encouraged ASHMA to continue with its decongestion exercise without fear of intimidation.

Some residents further confirmed that they had willingly released their lands to Alhaji Rahim and expressed full support for the Assembly’s ongoing enforcement efforts.