The Chief of Akyem Asafo in the Abuakwa South Constituency of the Eastern region Barima Boampong Darkwanin II has unlawfully seized about 860 acres cocoa farms belonging to individual farmers as well as portion of stool lands for galamsey activities.
According to the the Head of Anti-Illegal Mining Unit of Ghana COCOBOD Prof. Michael Kwateng, a petition was received from the Concern Cocoa Farmers Association of Akyem Asafo indicated that Barima Boampong Darkwanin II early this year seized about 860 acres of cocoa farms belonging to individual farmers stating he intends to use for the establishment of military camp.
However, the earlier intention for which the lands were seized by the Chief was not actualized since the Chief Barima Boampong Darkwanin II handed over the 860 acre cocoa farms to illegal miners resorting to the destruction of the cocoa farms.
Prof. Michael Kwateng explained that himself together with the Anti Illegal Mining Unit of COCOBOD upon receiving the petition made a joint visit to the site which the team led by himself confirmed the destruction caused to the cocoa farms.
The Anti Illegal Mining Unit of COCOBOD further confronted the Chief about the issue of which Barima Boampong Darkwanin II said “the cocoa farms I sold was stool lands which belongs to all the five gates of the royal family but one gates disagreed with the sales of the land , we went ahead to sell it and gave each gate Ghc 3,000 and deposited Ghc 40,000 in the account of Asafo Development committee and I shared the rest with the queen mother here” he expressed his remorse to COCOBOD.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Anti Illegal Mining Unit of COCOBOD Prof. Michael Kwateng warned of the suspension of Cocoa Roads Construction in the country if the activities of illegal mining causing the destruction of cocoa crops in the country persist.
According to him , galamsey activities has immensely and negatively contributed to the reduction of the yearly projected cocoa production.
Prof. Michael Kwateng explained that Article 47 of the Economic Plant Protection Act, prohibit the unlawful destruction of cocoa plants and any individual who commit such an offense breach the law and is liable to face the full rigours of the law.
Majority of the farmers gathered at the premises of the Akyem Asafo palace were not happy about the action of the chief despite COCOBOD assurance to pursue the case to the bottom and bring the perpetrators to book.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Ansah Stephen
