Cape Coast, Nov 3, GNA - Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, on Friday called for the immediate demolition of unauthorized structures on the University of Cape Coast (UCC) lands to serve as a deterrent to would-be encroachers.

He said structures on the university lands at Amamoma, Kwaprow and Atokokyir, which were earmarked for a UCC botanical gardens, hostels, and the Law and Medical schools, should immediately be pulled down to stop further encroachment.

Nana Arthur made the call when the Regional Security Council members were taken round the encroached lands of the University by the Vice Chancellor, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Adow Obeng, Pro-vice Chancellor, Prof Haruna Yakubu and the Registrar, Mr Kofi Ohene. He described the situation as very serious and said immediate action would be taken to curb it.

The Minister called for constant interaction by the university authorities with the surrounding communities, adding that this would help solve the problem of chiefs selling the university lands to developers.

The Vice-Chancellor further asked that the UCC be given =93political backing=94 to demolish the unauthorized structures, adding that in 2004, a court order was given to the university to demolish unauthorized structures but it was immediately stopped for political reasons, thereby giving room for more people to encroach on the property with impunity.

He said in some cases, the university security men were attacked and brutalized by encroachers anytime they went to stop them from putting up structures and called for police protection during the demolishing exercise.

Prof Obeng said private individuals interested in obtaining lands for development could be allotted plots earmarked for development.