Octogenarian pleads with Chief Justice for justice

Opanin Kofi Nkansah, an Octogenarian, has pleaded with the Chief Justice to intervene to give him justice over the unlawful destruction of his lifetime investment – a nine- acre citrus and oil palm plantation.

He has been litigating the matter in a Kumasi High Court and this has dragged on for about six years pleading that he is eager to see the legal tussle conclusively ended and justice done.

Frail-looking Opanin Nkansah alias “Agya Doctor” in a shaky voice could not hide his frustration saying “it would be most unfair, wrong and unjust to him to join my Creator with the case pending and undecided by the Court”.

“Things certainly would need to speed up,” he said.

The plantation was allegedly cut down by one Kyeremanteng to pave way for his sand-winning activity.

Opanin Nkansah told the Ghana News Agency that the farm served as his only source of livelihood and that its loss had dealt him a terrible blow – literally reduced him to a pauper.

“My son, I am now living on charity, it is by the generosity of the God’s Church of Peace at the Kumasi Airport Roundabout that I am being housed, fed and clothed.”

He said he is deeply saddened and troubled by the turn of events adding that he had gone into the agricultural venture because he did not want to become a burden on anybody in his old age.

“Regrettably, I now find myself in the undignified situation I had tried to avoid.”

Opanin Nkansah, who hails from Mamponteng in the Kwabre East District, established his farm at Nerebehi in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District, more than three decades ago.

He claims he has relevant legal documents (lease and indenture) signed by the appropriate authorities giving him title to the land on which he cultivated the citrus and oil palm.

He said he is yet to overcome the shock and nightmare of seeing the farm he had toiled to establish, gone.