Farmers cry over seized lands

By Ebenezer Hanson

Issues of seizure of, demand for compensation and return of lands have been rife in recent times with the return of some Ga lands by Government being a classic case.

Coming at the heels of the Ga lands palaver is the demand from government for compensation of lands by two farmers from Dawa Kpeserbi, in the Upper Manya Krobo District in the Eastern Region, who claim their lands have been expropriated for the construction of a water project without being a paid a pesewa.

Dadematse Ayumu Anyeweahe and Musah Alidu, in a petition to the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing and copied to the MP for Upper Manya Constituency, said “ a machinery track has been constructed through our individual lands causing damage to our economic trees and food crops as well as the natural land without our knowledge and consent ”.

The petitioners explained that the portions of their land in issue have been selected to serve as the “main source for the construction of the water project being installed at Bukunor near Otrokper” also in the Upper Manya Krobo District.

Additionally, they found it difficult to comprehend why none of the youth from the area have been engaged on the project. “All workers on this project are being employed from outside without considering the youths in our locality,” they bemoaned.

Dadematsu and Musah prayed the Minister to intervene by correcting what they termed as the “discrimination against them” by paying them compensation as well as employing some of the unemployed youth from the locality “ to enable us to enjoy our fair share of the national cake we deserve”.

When contacted, Hon. Stephen Amoanor Kwao, MP for Upper Manya, confirmed that he was aware of the concerns of the petitioners and has indeed received the petition, which he has submitted it to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing.

He pointed out that the farmers deserve compensation and that the Ministry should give their request a favourable attention.

Attempts to get the Minister to comment on the issue proved futile as he was said to be out for a meeting when yours truly called at the Ministry last Wednesday.