A wave of discontent has swept through the Teacher Mante community in Ayensuano district of Eastern Region on Monday as chiefs and residents vehemently protested against the sale of a public cemetery.
Clad in red and black attire, they gathered at the construction site, demanding an immediate halt to the project, asserting that the cemetery had been graded under the cover of darkness, with graves already looted.
According to Nana Oheneaku Asamaning (I), Baamuhene of Teacher Mante, who led the protestors, “Four days ago, we got wind that the cemetery was being graded. We stormed there and met one Asante Bediatuo who claims to be a chief at Okanta. He said he authorized it, so we reported him to Teacher Mante Police station, but he never appeared.”
Expressing disbelief in Okyenhene’s involvement, the Baamuhene stated, “Our king knows the implications of destroying the Royal cemetery; he won’t do that.” He linked the demolition to recent misfortunes, including a devastating rainstorm, saying, “They have graded and looted graves of our late chiefs, including the grave of our chief who was buried less than five years ago, and taken all the horns and skeletons away.”
The Baamuhene emphasized the community’s commitment to resistance, asserting, “Our community will resist against the project and ensure that remains and bones looted from the graves are returned.”
Communities along the Nsawam to Apedwa Junction stretch continue to grapple with the menace of land grabbing, leading to numerous agitations and land disputes.
The indiscriminate sale of Royal cemeteries further fuels tensions in these communities.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
