As Ghanaians mourn the late Deputy Finance Minister John Kumah, a video involving the deceased that caused controversy last year has resurfaced.

In July 2023, a viral video that captured public attention, saw an elderly woman, believed to be in her late 50s, screaming and labelling the late deputy minister a thief.

She alleged that John Kumah acquired her land under the pretence of a government project, but instead, he is allegedly using it for his private business.

The visibly upset woman passionately demanded the return of her land, expressing her outrage and determination to expose the deputy minister's actions.

“I didn’t know John Kumah is a thief. He is a thief.

“He is an MP who is a thief. He should give us our land,” she said as she walked about on the supposed land that she is accusing the deputy minister of stealing.

“I can’t wait to broadcast it to everybody that John Kumah is a thief. John Kumah has stolen our land; he should give us our land,” she claimed.

Another voice heard in the video supported the woman's claims, stating that John Kumah deceived them when he asked for the land for a government project but later used it for personal gain.

“You came to ask for the land that the government is about to put up a project here, and you are packing cars on the land. Now, you are coming to use the land for your private business.

“We should vote for you only to do this to us, John Kumah you are done. We’ve been quiet, he should know that this is his last time as an MP here,” he also said.

Following the allegations, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah, denied news circulating on social media that he had illegally taken over a parcel of land in his constituency.

In a statement shared by The Chronicles, he wrote, "I would like to refute these baseless claims and set the record straight, regarding the true events surrounding the acquisition and use of the said land.

As many of you are aware, during my campaign to become the MP for Ejisu, I made a solemn promise to the people that I would establish an asphaltic plant to address the road deficiencies in the constituency.

To realize this vision and create job opportunities, the ‘EJISU Club 100’ was established to collaborate with Sogood Engineering and Construction Company to undertake this project, among several others.

In the pursuit of fulfilling this commitment, I approached my family chief, Nana Kofi Agyei, for a piece of land for the construction of the asphaltic plant.

Nana Kofi Agyei gifted me the land in the presence of other family members, after the Aseda custom were done.

The intention behind this gift was never for personal gain, but to help uplift the community and improve the lives of its residents through job creation and enhanced infrastructure.

The progress of the asphaltic plant construction, which has reached an impressive 90% completion stage, stands as a testament to my unwavering dedication to fulfilling the promises made to my constituents during my campaign.

Regrettably, it has come to my attention that a few members of the family are expressing discontent over the gift of the land by the family chief. A land they have no claim to.

I acknowledge their right to have differing opinion but strongly oppose their unwarranted insults and attacks directed at me and wrongly claiming that I have forcefully taken over their lands.

In a response to the claims, I have already taken the necessary steps by reporting the matter to the Ejisu Police Service for the arrest of the individuals involved.

I have also notified the family chief about the very distasteful actions of the individuals involved, for the necessary customary actions to be taken against them.

As is evident in the video, there are no private houses built on the land but rather heavy duty vehicles and quarters for workers working on the asphaltic plant, as well as equipment for the asphaltic plants among several others.

It is very disheartening that in my quest to address a major challenge in the constituency, I have rather been attacked and vilified for an act I have not taken.

I would like to urge the public to disregard the content of the video and I admonish the media against further spreading its defamatory content or face legal action."