Prevent cocoa farm destruction; Chief appeals to gov’t

Barimah Kwabena Tano I, the Chief of Asikasu, near Adeiso in the Upper West Akim District of the Eastern Region, has appealed to the Government to prevent the destruction of cocoa farms in the area.

He said a check he conducted at the Koforidua Lands Commission revealed that about 1,850 hectares of cocoa farm lands had been demarcated by his grandson, Kwasi Agyei Konadu and allocated to the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited in Takoradi for rubber plantation.

Barimah Tano, who made this known to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, said the demarcation was not done in consultation with the chief and his elders.

He said his grandson took over as the regency of the town when it became necessary for him to seek medical attention for his eyesight.

Barimah Tano said while he was away, his grandson took advantage of his absence and took possession of the land documents which he used to transact business with the rubber company.

He said if the transaction was allowed, about 6,000 farmers would lose their livelihood.

In addition, Kwasi Agyei Konadu had locked up the palace for over a year now, even though he, Barimah Tano, was still the chief of the Asikasu Town.

Barima Tano alleged that his grandson was using thugs to threaten the farmers whose lands were being sold to accept the transaction.