The Boateng Family of Okorase are demanding payment of GH₵220,000 from the Koforidua Technical University (KTU), following an alleged breach of a land sale agreement dating back to September 2023.
According to documents signed by both parties, the family sold a 10-acre farmland located at Mpaem-Akwadum in New Juaben North of the Eastern Region to the university’s staff village for GH₵280,000, with payments scheduled in four installments between September and December 2023.
Per the agreement, KTU was expected to pay GH₵60,000 initially, followed by GH₵80,000 in October, GH₵70,000 in November, and a final GH₵70,000 in December.
The agreement cautioned that failure to adhere to these deadlines would result in suspension of work by the purchaser (KT) on the land until full payment was made.
The family’s lawyers, in a demand letter dated April 24, 2024, indicated that only the initial GH₵60,000 had been paid in September 2023 on the day of signing the contract.
According to the family, repeated efforts to collect the remaining GH₵220,000, no further payments have been made, prompting its legal team to request full settlement by May 31, 2024.
The letter stressed that the family reserves the right to pursue legal action should the university fail to comply.
Spokesperson for the Boateng Family, Alex Omane Boateng expressed disappointment in the university’s approach, accusing KTU of failing to uphold their end of the agreement.
“Ever since they paid the initial GH₵60,000 in September 2023, they kept giving us stories, making promises to settle but they continue to deceive us. We have granted them a grace period, but… you know, we cannot renegotiate a new contract again,” the spokesperson said.
Mr. Boateng further accused KTU of not only breaching the agreement but also disrespecting the family by commencing work on the land without completing payment.
“The agreement clearly states that until full payment is made, they cannot begin any work on the land. Yet, we’re reliably informed that they [KTU] have started erecting pillars and planting seedlings.
“We don’t understand their actions, but it clearly shows they don’t respect the agreement or our family,” he said bitterly.
The Boateng Family is now demanding that KTU settle the outstanding arrears with interest, or “forfeit our land for us.”
When contacted for comment, Dr. Anthony Ayakwah, who signed the agreement on behalf of KTU, declined to speak on the matter.
He noted that the transaction was between the Boateng Family and the university as a public institution, and suggested that the family seek legal redress if they believe the terms were violated.
