Benimasi-Boadi Campaign
Our Current Campaigns
Defending Ancestral Lands: The Benimasi-Boadi Campaign
In Ghana, the Indigenous People of Benimasi-Boadi, genealogical descendants of King Osei Tutu I, are facing a devastating threat to their ancestral lands and cultural identity. For centuries, these lands have been their home, their livelihood, and the resting place of their ancestors. Now, they are being subjected to intimidation, harassment, and even violence as they fight to protect their birthright
Focus: Protecting Indigenous Land Rights in Ghana
Land Rights Defenders Inc. stands in solidarity with the Benimasi-Boadi people in their struggle for justice. Our comprehensive campaign aims to achieve the following:
- Halt Illegal Evictions: We are committed to stopping the forced displacement of the Benimasi-Boadi people from their ancestral lands, ensuring they remain in their homes and communities.
- End Intimidation and Harassment: Through legal advocacy and community support, we strive to create a safe environment for the Benimasi-Boadi people, free from threats and violence.
- Secure Land Tenure: We are actively working to ensure legal recognition and protection of the Benimasi-Boadi’s customary land rights in accordance with Ghana’s Land Act 2020 (Act 1036), safeguarding their ownership and traditional practices.
- Hold Authorities Accountable: We demand transparency and accountability from the Kumasi Traditional Council and the Ghanaian government for actions that violate land rights and undermine the rule of law.
- Amplify Indigenous Voices: We are committed to raising global awareness about the Benimasi-Boadi’s struggle and ensuring their voices are heard by policymakers and the international community.
Secure Legal Recognition of Benimasi-Boadi’s Allodial Title pursuant to Ghana’s Land Act 2020 (Act 1036):
- Advocate for the formal recognition and registration of Benimasi-Boadi’s allodial land title within Ghana’s legal framework by December 2025.
- Ensure that the land boundaries are clearly defined and recorded in official documents.
Empower Benimasi-Boadi Community for Self-Determination:
- Train ten community members in land rights advocacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution by January 2025.
- Establish a community-led land management committee with clear decision-making authority over land use and development.
- Facilitate workshops to document and preserve traditional land management practices and cultural heritage.
Raise Awareness and Build Public Support:
- Secure media coverage in four major national and international outlets highlighting the Benimasi-Boadi land struggle by January 2025.
- Develop educational materials (brochures, documentary, video
s) explaining the community’s history, land rights,and the importance of preserving their cultural heritage. - Organize several public events (forums, rallies) to engage the wider Ghanaian public and policymakers.
Mobilize International Pressure for Justice:
- Submit a formal complaint to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples outlining the Benimasi-Boadi case.
- Partner with major international human rights organizations to advocate for the protection of Benimasi-Boadi land rights.
- Leverage social media to create a global campaign (#StandWithBenimasiBoadi) reaching hundreds of thousands of supporters by January 2025.
By working along with this roadmap, Land Rights Defenders will contribute significantly to the protection of the Benimasi-Boadi people’s ancestral lands, ensuring their cultural survival, economic well-being, and self-determination.
- Legal Advocacy: Our legal team is providing direct support and representation to the Benimasi-Boadi people in their ongoing land dispute case H1/22/2023 pending before the Appeal Court in Kumasi, Ghana. This case is crucial to securing their land rights and challenging the unjust actions of the Kumasi Traditional Council.
- Advocacy with Government Officials: We actively engage with Ghanaian authorities, policymakers, and traditional leaders to foster dialogue, demand adherence to legal frameworks, and advocate for policies that protect indigenous land rights.
- Community Organizing: We work closely with the Benimasi-Boadi community, empowering them to organize themselves, develop leadership skills, and advocate effectively for their rights.
- Media Outreach: We leverage media platforms and online campaigns to raise awareness about the Benimasi-Boadi’s struggle, ensuring their story reaches a global audience and garnering support for their cause.
- International Advocacy: We collaborate with international human rights organizations and mechanisms to put pressure on the Ghanaian government to uphold its commitments to human rights and indigenous land rights
Our Approach to Advocacy
We employ a multifaceted approach to land rights advocacy, combining:
- Community Engagement: We partner with local communities to amplify their voices and empower them to advocate for their own land rights.
- Legal Advocacy: We provide legal support and representation to communities facing land-related disputes.
- Policy Advocacy:We engage with policymakers at local, national, and international levels to influence laws and policies that protect land rights.
- Public Awareness:We raise awareness about land rights issues through media outreach, educational resources, and public events.
Our Victories
Challenging Human Rights Violations
We successfully litigated against the Ghana Police Service and Attorney General in Suit No. HR/0026/2022, holding them accountable for violating the fundamental human rights of Nana Kwesi Osei Bonsu, a leader in the fight for Benimasi-Boadi land rights. This victory sends a strong message that defenders of indigenous land will not be silenced.
Seeking Justice through Appeal
Our legal team has filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal in Kumasi, challenging an unjust ruling that disregards the Benimasi-Boadi's customary land rights pursuant to Section II of Ghana’s Land Act 2020 (Act 1036). This landmark case titled Suit number H1/204/2023 Abusuapanin Kwame Konadu Yiadom Substituted by Nana Osei Bonsu Suing for an on behalf of Huahi Achama Tutuwaa Royal Family of Boadi. Versus Yaw Acheampong and Lands Commission & Nana Yaw Awuah Nimfuo II, has the potential to set a precedent for the protection of Indigenous land rights in Ghana and beyond.
Increased International Recognition
Land Rights Defenders Inc. has been recognized as a prime contractor with USAID, highlighting our expertise and impact in the field of land rights advocacy. We have also received valuable support from Microsoft Tech for Social Impact and Google for Nonprofits, enabling us to expand our reach and amplify the voices of indigenous communities.
Amplified Indigenous Voices at the UN
Our participation in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) provided a platform to highlight the threats faced by indigenous people in Ghana's Ashanti Region, including the Benimasi-Boadi. This has led to increased international attention and pressure on the Ghanaian government to uphold its commitments to indigenous rights.
Expanding Global Recognition: Protecting Benimasi-Boadi Lands
In a significant step towards safeguarding indigenous territories, Land Rights Defenders Inc. has submitted comprehensive case studies and spatial data outlining the boundaries of Benimasi-Boadi lands to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the UN World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).
Growing Support and Partnerships
We have seen a surge in public support and engagement with our campaigns, including increased petition signatures, and social media shares. We have also strengthened our partnerships with other land rights organizations in Ghana and globally, fostering collaboration and amplifying our collective impact.
In a significant step towards justice for the Benimasi-Boadi people, we have formally submitted complaints on their behalf to the United Nations Human Rights Council through its Special Procedures mechanisms.
What This Means:
We employ a multifaceted approach to land rights advocacy, combining:
- Inclusion in the World Database of Protected Areas (WDPA): This submission aims to include the Benimasi-Boadi lands in the WDPA, a globally recognized database that tracks protected areas and supports conservation efforts. Inclusion in the WDPA would provide international recognition of the ecological and cultural significance of these lands.
- Enhanced Protection: This recognition can help deter illegal encroachment and exploitation, strengthen the legal standing of the Benimasi-Boadi's land claims, and attract international support for their conservation efforts.
- Preserving Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage: The Benimasi-Boadi lands are home to a rich diversity of plant and animal species, as well as important cultural and historical sites. Protecting these lands safeguards this heritage for future generations.
Our Commitment:
Land Rights Defenders Inc. is dedicated to using all available tools and platforms to protect indigenous land rights. This submission to UNEP-WCMC is a testament to our commitment to amplifying the voices of indigenous communities and ensuring their lands are recognized and protected on a global scale.
The Power of Data:
By providing detailed spatial data and case studies, we are equipping the international community with the information needed to understand the unique challenges faced by the Benimasi-Boadi people and the importance of preserving their ancestral lands.
Looking Ahead:
We are hopeful that the inclusion of Benimasi-Boadi lands in the WDPA will be a major step forward in our ongoing campaign to secure land rights for this community. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration, data-driven advocacy,and the unwavering determination of the Benimasi-Boadi people to protect their heritage.
This is just a snapshot of our ongoing efforts. We remain steadfast in our commitment to defending indigenous land rights in Ghana and around the world.
Get Involved in Our Campaigns
You can play a crucial role in our fight for land justice. Here’s how you can get involved:
The Benimasi-Boadi people are not alone in their fight. Your support can make a real difference in securing their land rights and preserving their ancestral heritage. Join us in our mission to achieve land justice in Ghana.
Donate
Your financial contributions are vital. They directly fund the legal representation, advocacy efforts, and community support initiatives that empower the Benimasi-Boadi people to protect their land and heritage. Every donation, big or small, fuels our fight for justice.
Sign the Petition
Add your name to our petition and amplify the voices of the Benimasi-Boadi community. By signing, you send a powerful message to the Ghanaian government and international community that the world is watching and demands action
Share on Social Media
Use the hashtag #LandRightsForBenimasiBoadi and share the Benimasi-Boadi's story on your social media platforms. Your voice can raise awareness, reach influential figures, and mobilize support for their cause.
Contact Your Representatives
Make your voice heard in the halls of power. Contact your elected officials and urge them to take a stand for indigenous rights and support legislation that protects land tenure for communities like the Benimasi-Boadi.
Stay Informed
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow our social media channels to stay updated on the latest developments in the Benimasi-Boadi campaign. Get involved in our online actions, participate in events, and be a part of the growing movement for land justice in Ghana.
Call To Action
The Benimasi-Boadi people’s struggle is a fight for justice, cultural preservation, and the fundamental human right to land. By joining Land Rights Defenders Inc. in this crucial campaign, you become a champion for their cause. Your voice,your support, and your actions can make a tangible difference in securing their future and protecting their ancestral legacy. Together, we can build a world where indigenous land rights are respected, and communities thrive.