A group of persons claiming to be working for the Okyehene, the Okyeman task force, have invaded the Sakyikrom Nova, destroying farmlands and virgin lands belonging to the poor farmers and residents.
Residents of this community, who are predominantly farmers, could not hide their frustrations at the damage done to their properties and their livelihoods by a gang of people led by one Akwansrahene, who, according to information, claims to be operating under the command of the Okyehene.
Living conditions of residents, this paper can say, is becoming unbearable as their farms , that serve as their source of livelihood have been destroyed.
A visit to the community shows that large tracts of farmlands with crops like cassava, plantains, banana, cocoa trees, maize among others have been destroyed.
Addressing a Press Conference on Saturday, Nana Baffour Oforiwaa II, Pomhemaa and Kontihene of Akwamu Traditional Area, whose 5-acre farmland was destroyed by the group, noted that the group destroyed her farm covering five acres from the ten-acre land she owns.
This, development she indicated, is uncalled for since the land in question does not belong to the people of Akyem.
“My land is not for Okyehene. My land is not for the people of Okyemen. This is my land and for that matter whoever is sending these people onto my land should desist from such acts,” she stated.
She explained that, traditionally, Sakyikrom is the Krontihene No II to the Akwamu Traditional Area and therefore holds allegiance to the Akwamuhene and not the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council.
In view of this, she stressed that “all lands in Sakyikrom are within the traditional jurisdiction of the Akwamu Traditional Council and not the Akyem Traditional Council.”
Nana Baffour Oforiwaa II also averred that none of their forefathers or traditional leaders ever attended traditional council meetings at the Okyeman palace, let alone going to pay homage or allegiance there.
On his part, Oheneba Nana Asante Okorie I, Apagyahene of Sekyikrom also added his voice and indicated that since the invasion by the said group in the community, residents have been living in fear.
The group (Okyeman taskforce) is creating tension and chaos in the community and if care is not taken, it may lead to a breach of the peace in the area.
He stressed the fact that Sekyikrom since time immemorial has been under the Akwamus with the chief of Sakyikrom being a Divisional Stool (Krontihene II) to the paramount Chief of Akwamu Traditional Area.
“There are settled judicial decisions, records from the National House of Chiefs and relevant chieftaincy laws to corroborate this fact,” he stated.
He appealed to the security agencies, the Interior and defence Ministries to intervene and ensure peace.
“We want peace. Hence, we are challenging the Akyems to produce details of whoever sold the lands to them,” he said.
By Alex Boye
