AFTER 30 years of non-compensation, following the construction of the Akosombo dam which submerged greater proportion of their lands, the chiefs and people in the Akwamu traditional area have now grown wild. They now want the President, Mr. J.A. Kufuor and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to repeal Act A6 of 1961 which established the Volta River Authority (VRA) as autonomous body in order to allow for the Asuogyaman District Assembly to expand its revenue net.
Speaking to the Chronicle at Old Akrade in the Eastern Region, Nana Adjei Monsi, chief of the town, said the extent of damage both to human and material resources in the Akwamu state cannot be repaired.
Nana Adjei Monsi pointed out that the people have not exhausted their patience and would do everything to have the Act repealed. He said it is so sad that the inhabitants whose property have been destroyed continue to swim in poverty bowls while personnel of the VRA also bath in wealth.
According to the chief, the fact that the VRA management pays certain proportion of market tools to the Asuogyaman District Assembly does not mean the Akwamu State benefits from VRA services.
Nana Adjei Monsi said while the subjects of Akwamu traditional area and Ghanaians outside pay huge electricity bills, VRA workers pay ?24,000 per month including accommodation which he described as cheating on the part of the people.
He stated that as at August 7, this year, certain communities in the traditional area have still not been hooked to the national grid for electricity supply, saying “these is naked cheating”.
He mentioned the towns as Anyansu, Mpakadan, Frankadua, Finte, Osiabura and Asikuma in the Anum traditonal area.
The chief noted, however, that although the Akwamus are law-abiding, the state would no longer sit down for certain category of strangers to loot their lands and treasures.
Nana Adjei Monsi added that President Kufuor’s government, transparent as it is has the hope of the people and appealed to the President to study certain recommendations and arrangements made by the late Dr. K. A. Busia’s government on Akwamu stool lands and the VRA issue.
He also expressed the hope that the new board of the VRA would help streamline its activities and restore what belongs to the Akwamus.
