The boundary dispute between Abotakyi and Akuapem Mampong in the Eastern Region has strongly resurfaced.
Abotakyi falls under Akuapem South District while Mampong is under Akuapem North Municipality.
The protracted boundary dispute has existed with no end in sight.
The Chiefs of Abotakyi, Okyekyerekuro Kwame Sakyi Ababio II, according to him have sent several petitions for proper demarcation of the boundary.
The Akuapem North Municipal Assembly has recently written to the Benkum Division of the Okuapeman and the national security as well as other key stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the dispute to avert clashes.
The location of the former office of the Ghana National Fire Service at Akuapem Mampong falls into the landmass being claimed as part of Abotakyi.
Security analysts believe, it is therefore apt for the fire station to be relocated to Akropong so that it does not fall into a litigated area which could lead to displacement.
The Fire Station on the disputed land at Akuapem Mampong was relocated on Friday, April 9, 2021, after over 32 years of operation at Akuapem Mampong.
The relocation of the fire station has however sparked agitation by chiefs and people of Mampong.
Some of the youth allegedly issued threats to the fire personnel while some residents reportedly stormed the new Fire Service office at Akropong to question the officers.
The situation has compelled fire officers who feel unsafe to wear mufti for a while for security reasons.
This comes after angry chiefs and people of Akuapem Mampong clad in red and black apparels protested Monday against the relocation of the fire station.
Nana Yirenkyi I -the Apasemankahene of the AKuapem Mampong Traditional Council said the council has issued a week ultimatum for the decision to be reversed.
He said Mampong has very sensitive Institutions that require the presence of a fire station for swift intervention in case of a fire outbreak. He threatened that Municipal Chief Executive and Member of Parliament for the area Awuah Sampson Asiedu Larbi and Nana Ama Dokua respectfully not step foot in any event organized in the Mampong Township
Akuapem North PM
The Presiding Member of Akuapem North Municipal Assembly, Hon. Asiedu Offei has stated that the decision to relocate the Municipal fire station from Akuapem Mampong to Akropong is a well thought through decision collectively taken by the assembly to enhance security.
According to Hon. Asiedu Offei, the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly has moved into its new office complex leaving the old block vacant.
The Assembly therefore thought it wise to allow the offices to the Security Services and the Circuit Court.
“As at now the Security Service including the Fire Service is occupying the old Assembly block as their permanent place. The Assembly aimed to keep all the Security Service at the common point for easy accessibility”
He said, “The Fire Station as it is, serves two constituencies namely; Okere Constituency and Akuapem North Constituency, and Akropong happens to be at the center of these two constituencies. Again Fires Service cut across the entire nation to serve the citizenry. Koforidua being the Eastern Regional Capital has only two Fire Tenders but men have been placed at the Regional Hospital and All Nations University to carry out their job”.
According to him, the Assembly has plans to put up mini fire Stations at Larteh, Mampong, and Adawso to facilitate swift response to fire outbreaks.
He wondered that the Fire Station has been at Mampong for 32years now and at the same Social Centre, and Mampong people as they claim never built a block to house the Station”
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah/Solomon Nuwordu
