Court order settler farmers to pay rent arrears

Techiman (B/A) Jan. 6, GNA - Four settler farmers resident at Kuntunso, in the Brong- Ahafo Region, have been ordered by the Techiman Circuit Court, to pay farm rent arrears from 2002 to 2004 to the Administrator of Stool Lands.

Kofi Fofie and three others who pleaded not guilty for contravening the Administration of Stool Lands Act, would be jailed for three months in default.

In their defence the accused persons told the Court presided over by Justice Erasmus Gyinae, that they were not liable to pay any rent since they did not acquire the farmlands from the Techiman Stool but rather hired them from individuals.

The Court however maintained that the prosecution witnesses had proved that the settler farmers acquired their farmlands from some individuals who affirmed that the lands belonged to the Techiman Stool. Justice Gyinae dismissed argument by the Counsel for the accused persons, Mr Twumasi Awuah that the lands belonged to families, saying there were no such lands in the Techiman Traditional Area.