Farmers accuse MP of chasing them off their lands using land guards

Some farmers in Kwahu Nkwatia of the Kwahu South Municipality in the Eastern Region are accusing the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abetifi Constituency, Bryan Acheampong, of assaulting and intimidating them with some unidentified men.

This follows a large parcel of plots lying behind Rock City, a hotel, a facility that belongs to the MP which is in contention as to who is the legitimate owner of the farm lands.

According to the farmers, they inherited the lands from their great grandfathers, and they had since been farming on it until the MP brought the land guards to chase them (farmers) off the lands.

The spokesperson for the affected farmers, Kofi Nkrumah Asante, told the media in an interview that some farmers, including him, whose farm products were destroyed, have reported the matter to the Nkwatia police and the District Agriculture Office for proper evaluation and compensation.

Kofi Nkrumah Asante, who is also the Assembly Member for New Oworobong Electoral Area in the Kwahu South Municipality, used the opportunity to appeal to the government to call the MP to order before the youth loses interest in agriculture.

To the Kwahu South Assembly Member, it would be an affront to the current government to allow farm lands to be taken from farms, especially in this era that it has introduced a programme (Planting for Food and Jobs) to make farming more attractive, especially for the youth.

He disclosed that all attempt to engage the MP to verify the conduct of the men chasing them from their farms are on his orders have proven futile.

According to the farmers, they had reported the incident to the traditional authorities, who happens to be the custodians of the lands, but nothing has been done as the economic challenges of these affected farmers deepens.

They disclosed that all they heard from a close source is that the lands, which are being taken from them, are to be used for a zoo. In addition, they alleged that some of their people had been assaulted by these unknown men (land guards), warning them not to step foot on the lands again.

He finally called on the traditional authorities to be more considerate to the future generations and stop giving out lands for their personal gain.

But the MP has denied the allegations against him by these farmers, adding that he would not deny the livelihoods of these poor farmers by chasing them out of their farms.

The Abetifi MP continued that even though the land in question is the legitimate property which he bought from the late Kwahu Nkwatia Chief and the rest from families in the area for his hotel project some years ago.

He continued that, as well-meaning MP who puts the holistic socio-economic development of the area, he agreed that the farmers to continue with their farming activities on the purchased lands, but will take over (the lands) when he wants to develop it.

The MP disclosed that he had been charitable enough to even compensate the farmers where necessary, despite the fact that the land belongs to him, hence his surprise that they could go to the media with these unjustifiable allegations.

In what appears to be a counter response buttressing the MP’s position, Mr. Stephen Nyarko, a palm wine tapper and farmer on the land, mentioned that his colleagues were being ungrateful to the MP.

He made this known when this reporter decided to visit the land in question on Tuesday in order to have firsthand information to the allegations raised by the farmers.

Mr. Nyarko explained that Bryan Acheampong bought the land from the Tokorase Family through the Chief of the area, but the MP asked them to work on their various farmers, but have to stop when necessary.

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