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Barima Owusu Agyeman, Chief of Antoa,a farming community in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti region has been accused of allegedly selling 5,000 acres of land belonging to Cocoa farmers in the area to private individuals for commercial and domestic activities.
In a press conference held today to protest against his actions ,it was alleged that ,the afforementioned chief has sold 5,000 acres of land to private individuals without accounting to the occupants of the said portions of land.
The protesters who were clad in red flag further accused the chief of not consulting landowners who are predominantly cocoa, cash crop and peasant farmers before selling out their lands.
The Convenor of the aggrieved residents, Mr Attah Kwakye who addressed the media said, the decision by the Chief is a clear sign of disrespect to landowners in the area .
According to him, after observing the excessive sale of land by the chief, they thought it wise and then moblized themselves and stormed the chief’s palace to seek for clarification as to why the sale of that acres of land but they were only snubbed by the Chief during their visit .
These law abiding citizens were only told at the Chief palace that the chief is the superior and has every right to claim ownership of every land within his jurisdiction and said in a cheeky Akan proverb that “Osoro ade3 y3 fo aa Akyekyede3 nto bi”.
The aggressived residents made it clear that, their Chief has no respect for his subjects and has also classified the indigenes of the community as strangers who don’t have any authority over lands his ancestors toiled for.
But the aggrieved residents said with boldness that,the said land that has been sold by the Chief was given to them by their ancestors and will never sit down unconcerned for their Chief to sell them for his selfish gains without any form of compensation.
“We are thinking about our future. Where are we going to get land for our next generation after he has sold 5,000 acres of land without any accountability”.They added.
They however warned their Chief to as a matter of urgency put an end to the practice else they will advise themselves.
“If nothing happens after this press conference, we will petition the regional house of chiefs and the Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu II, to intervene and if we don’t achieve any results them heaven will break..they concluded.
Source:Broadcastergh.com/Akoko Asense
