Invaders destroy cocoa farms in Tongya forest reserve

Tepa (Ash), March 24, GNA - Some unidentified people numbering about 200 invaded the Tongya forest reserve at Subinso in the Ahafo-Ano North district last Wednesday and destroyed hundred of hectares of cocoa farms belonging to 15 farmers.

Briefing newsmen at Tepa last Friday, Mr Kwasi Krah Fuseni, spokesperson for the farmers, said at 12 noon on March 21, a group of people numbering about 200, some of who were wearing army and police uniforms with AK 47 raffles, invaded Camp Two in the Tongya forest reserve and started cutting down their cocoa trees.

He said for fear of being arrested and harassed by the invaders, some of the farmers fled the area but those who were courageous and stayed behind were arrested and taken away to an unknown place. He said in some cases, the farmers were given cutlasses to destroy their own farms.

Mr Fuseni disclosed that some of the farmers lost their monies, spraying machines and other personal belongings which were taken away by the strangers.

The farmers, who claimed to have been cultivating farms in the forest for more than 20 years, could not explain how they came by the land but agreed that the area was a forest reserve belonging to the State.

What they did not understand was why thousands of hectares of cocoa farms belonging to other farmers in the same forest reserve were left untouched except the ones at Camp Two. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nicholas Opare Ofosuhene, the District Police Commander collaborated the farmers predicament, explaining that after receiving complaint from the farmers, the police went to the area but could not find anyone, adding that they were investigating the matter. All attempts by the Ghana News Agency to contact the Ashanti Regional Forestry Division on the case failed as there was no response to the call.

Questions being asked by many people were how the farmers penetrated into the reserve, worked there for so many years with some cocoa buying companies having their sheds there without the knowledge of the regional forestry division. 24 March 07