Cocoa Farmers in Adetim in the Upper West Akyem District of the Eastern Region have called on Ghana Cocobod and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to as matter of urgency rescue them from the sale of their Cocoa farms by the Asamankese Traditional Council for failing to pay royalties.
They alleged that the Traditional Council have sent some chiefs and “Macho men” to their Cocoa farms for demarcation which they believe that it may sold to others over their failure to pay royalties for some years now.
Addressing the media, Mankrado of Adetim, Nana Osei said some of the farmers were rejected at the Office of Stool Lands when they went there to pay their royalties, adding, although the farmers have breached contractoral agreement but they should be pardoned and giving second chance.
He said, on 16th February 2021 Rebecca Akufo-Addo Foundation came to their rescue by Constructing a six unit classroom block for the Basic School, Four unit for the Junior High School and the Member of Parliament also lobbied for Electricity for the Town but if the Cocoa farmers are sacked from the land, these projects will be unproductive.
Former President of West Akim Cooperative Cocoa Farmers (Cocoa Life) in the Eastern Region, Mr. Sampson Adu Essel, said they were shocked when they received the news that farmers at Adetim are loosing their farms due to failure to pay royalties and urged the Traditional Council to pardon them.
He said Cocoa farmers in the Municipality have been facing similar issues and urged custodian of the land
According to him, recently, some rubber planting company used their financial strength to take over Cocoa farms from Farmers at Krodua Breman, Asikasu, Dwafoakwa and Yaw Tanor.
He said Cocoa farmers at Amarko are also loosing their farms due to Illegal Mining and urged Chiefs and Government to safeguard Cocoa farms.
Source:Mybrytfmonline/ Mensah Atakora
