A group of farmers whose farmlands are being affected by the ongoing dualization of the Accra-Kumasi Highway at Asiakwa Junction staged a demonstration on Thursday, November 14, demanding compensation for their lost land.
The farmers set up canopies, plastic chairs, and cooking utensils in the middle of the road as they carried out their daily activities, pledging to halt the contractor’s progress until their concerns were addressed.
Frustrated by the government’s failure to settle their compensation claims, several of the affected farmers shared their disappointment with the media, emphasizing the prolonged delay in payments that have left them struggling to cope with the loss of their crops and livelihoods.
The protest disrupted traffic flow, as the farmers insisted on fair compensation before any further work could continue on the highway expansion project.
“Over a year ago, we woke up to a contractor working on our property. Till now they keep telling us our cheques are with the Highway Authority. The contractor is hiding behind the government to perpetrate this crime. We have held countless demonstrations to seek our cheques but our efforts have been futile.
“Today, we have mounted tents with all our staff to cook here. Either they give us our money or we are not vacating this premises. We insist they give us our money. The land is ours. You can’t seize somebody’s land to do what you like.
“We are going to carry out our domestic chores here at their premises. We are not leaving until they pay us our money”, an affected farmer fumed.
“I had already cultivated 4 acres of land each at both sides of the road. We’ve been chasing them for over a year and seven months now. As I speak, I have no money on me. We are not leaving here today. It’s either the government gives us our money or we don’t allow work to go on”, an affected farmer lamented.
The Convenor of the concerned-affected farmers group Kojo Boadu revealed how some members have passed on to Glory due to the challenges in getting access to their compensation affecting their livelihoods taken away from them.
“A year and eight months ago, two companies invaded our properties and destroyed them. Till now, no compensation has been given to any of the affected individuals. This is the fifth time we are protesting. During our last engagement, we signed an agreement with the companies where they promised to settle us within a month, which was due in October.
“We are now in November, yet we have not received our monies. They claim our monies are with the Highway Authority. If we do not receive our cheques, we will not leave this premises.
This is not our total number, the majority are on their way. Some have passed on to glory as a result of the financial struggles they faced along the line,” Kojo Boadu stated.
