“Before we end, we the settlers of Dedeso-Wirako want to give Opanin Bosompem, the self-acclaimed chief of the area, one-week ultimatum to vacate the land or would be forced to move” these were the words of aggrieved residents of Dedeso in the Fanteakwa North District of the Eastern at a press conference held over the weekend.
The residents are accusing the Begoro traditional council of intimidation despite being settlers who do not own allegiance to the people of the Akyem Abuakwa traditional area.
According to the residents, the Chief of the community who is also the current regent of Begoro, Osaberima Bosompem Ayiripe has persistently fired open gunshots with his armed thugs, emphasizing what transpired on Saturday, 17th February, Wednesday, 20th February, and Friday, 27th February 2019 with the latest happening on 14th June 2020.
The Convenor of the residents, Michael Teye Sackitey told the media that, the Chief has been employing the services of land guards to threaten residents, intimidation and preventing of investors, illicit seizure of properties, and many other rude actions.
“Besides, by Executive Instrument (EI 54) of State Lands dated 22nd March 1969 and which has the heading DEDESO WIREKO RESETTLEMENT SITE INSTRUMENT, 1969, the Ghana Government acquired 12.62 square miles, in total acreage of about 8,700.24km of the lands around Dede-Sawirako Ressetlement Township and it’s environed and has been distributed to the settlers for farming and other agriculture purposes”.
“It is worth note that, Opanin Bosompem is not one of the settlers so he cannot be a chief over land which does not belong to him. In the same breath, he cannot be a Chief over people who have been resettled on government acquired land” Mr. Michael Sackitey emphasized.
He stated that “In conclusion, we are calling on the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the VRA and other stakeholders to as matter of urgency bring finality to this matter which has been an albatross on the neck of the settlers for several decades now”.
However, Osaberima Bosompem Ayiripe has debunked the allegation, indicating the land belongs to the Begoro traditional council and hence does not have anything to deal with the resettlers.
He questioned rhetorically if any group of persons from one ethnicity can just go and claim ownership of land in a different ethnic area.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
