Over 20 towns and villages in the Eastern part of Ayensuano district in the Eastern Region have hit the streets with a demonstration to protest and register their displeasure against the activities of sand winners and estate developers within their communities, with a claim that they are destroying farms, and properties and in some cases assaulting farmers and indigenes of the land.
They are calling on the Authorities and the Regional Police Command to help stop the activities of these people as the situation is affecting their standards of living and peace within the district.
They however entreated the relevant authorities to act hastily to forestall any unpleasant situation as they are determined to fight at the peril of their lives to protect properties belonging to them.
According to the protesters, over 20 affected towns and villages including Kyekyewere Community, Abrodiem, Govina-Krom, Agbodzi-Kokpe, Amponsahene-Krom, Mensah-Krom, Teacher Mante, Yakoko Community, Kwadjo-Ofosu Village, Hwereso-Krom, Bonkua No.1, Bonkua No.2, Ankyearse-Krom, Anom Community, Asuboi, Mankrong, Ayekokooso, and Budu-Krom which they have superintended and owned for over 2 centuries, with most of these inhabitants predominantly farmers.
They claim about 7 to 8 years ago that unknown people began engaging in sand winning activities and illegal sales and allocation of their lands to entrepreneurs and estates developers without the knowledge and concerns of the chiefs, elders landowners, farmers and inhabitants of the catchment areas.
Inhabitants said all efforts and action to stop the activities of these people have failed hence, the decision hit the principal street of Kyekyewere to protest and register their displeasure.
Hundreds of protesters clad in red amid chanting of asofo songs displayed placards with various inscriptions including Investigate Land Commission Department At Koforidua, Koans Where Is The Last Judgement, Akape And One Million Stay Away From Our Land, Koans Stop Stealing And Selling Our Lands, We Have Stay Land For 200 Years, Koans You Don’T Own Any Plot At Kyekyewere And Its Environs, Nana Addo President Come To Our Aid, Landgaurds Where Do You Want Us To Go, We Are Not Cowards Just Be Civilised, Election Is Around The Corner, Koans And His Men Are Destroying Our Properties And Farms produce, among others to expressed their displeasure.
The demonstration which was led by the Chief of Kyekyewere, Nana Aseidu Opoku, saw in attendance chiefs, elders, landlords, farmers, youth groups and inhabitants from Kyekyewere community its adjoining towns and villages within the Ayensuano District.
Addressing the media, Paul Som Abedi Assemblyman for Kyekyewere community, described the action of the sand winners, estates developers and the land guards as criminal which called for government to rescue them.
He assured that after the demonstration, the will be patient for the next 14 days to see steps the authorities would take but if action is not taken to that effect, they have no option than to defend their lives, farms, and properties by every possible and legitimate means.
He explained the genesis of their heritage stating that they have every legal documents to support their claims. He therefore entreated the relevant authorities to act as matter of urgency to forestall any unpleasant situation as they are determined to protect lives and properties.
Some farmers and landowners who spoke to NET2TV, also expressed grievances about how the operation of the sand winners, land guards and activities of estates developers has affected their living standards.
They however called on the authorities to come to their aid rescue their challenges before things get out of hand.
