Tension is brewing between Akyem Tafo and Ahinkwa communities over parcels of land.
It is believed that the land being occupied by the Krobos in the area were “bought” from the Akyems centuries ago, however there seems to be some litigation over some parcels of land being recently claimed by the Akyem Tafo Chief.
In November 1994, some fighters from Akyem Tafo attacked the Ahinkwa Community, injured some residents, torched their houses and killed dozens of domestic animals over same peace of land.
Recent decision by the Chief of Akyem Tafo Osabarima Adusei Peasah to send surveyors onto the disputed land was met with fierce resistant by the krobo community who arrested the surveyors and other persons that accompanied them and handed them over to the Police.This has renewed tension and created anxiety of attack on the community.
According to the residents, their forefathers duly bought the land in 1940 from the Akyems and therefore will resist attempts to forcibly take away the lands from them.
A gongo (drum) has since been beaten by the traditional leaders in the Ahinkwa Community encouraging residents to begin arming themselves in readiness for any invasion.
Dademankye Opey-Kwabena who is traditional ruler in the community told Starr News “in 1991 similar thing happened and there was war after that we went to court and won. So as it is about happening again we want government to intervene to bring peace because if you own something and someone wants to take it away from you ,you won’t sit aloof you will fight back to protect your property”.
He added “we have men in these community. I have a horn, when I blow it right now you will see men trooping all over from krobo communities from Ehiamankye, others we don’t want to get there, we want peace so as Nana Akufo-Addo promised when he came to campaign here debunking allegations that when NPP wins our lands will not be taken away from us, we want him to intervene “.
The Assembly Member for the Area, Christiana Batsa said due to the feud between the two communities, women have stopped trading food stuffs at Akyem Tafo .
“due to the feud between us we have stopped going to market at Akyem Tafo. But we want peace that is why when we arrested the five people we didn’t beat them but rather handed them over to the Police “.
Felix Bell, an opinion leader and Coordinator for the ruling NPP in the community has debunked widespread rumor that the recent action by the Akyem Tafo Chief has political undertone.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Akyem Tafo Osabarima Adusei Peasah told Starr News the residents are squatters on his land hence have no right to arrest the people he sent, but says he is committed to resolving the impasse in a scheduled meeting with Municipal Chief Executives of the two municipalities.
Source:Starrfm.com.gh