Of family lands, poverty and exile

Different stories are narrated about how young people for various reasons either run

away from home or are forced to flee to safety.

The story is told of young Kwesi Adum who decided to go into farming to make a living.

He asked his father to assist him in that direction and the father gave him the go

ahead to cultivate on a family land.

Just as he was about to harvest the crops, the head of their family dropped a

bombshell that he needed the land back.

Logically, Kwesi should have been allowed to harvest the crops so that the family

head could take back the land but, the family head would not take that plea. He

wanted the land back at all cost.

The next day, Kwesi was attacked and injured in the process. Several theories came

up. Accusing fingers were pointed at those who supported the head of the family to

eject Kwesi Adum from the family land.

In our part of the world, family and land issues are very sensitive and any body

could do anything in the name of protecting family traditions and property.

Kwesi Adum was advised to leave Sunyani to save his life since he could not measure

up to the intimidation and threats from the powers that be of the family.

Kwesi Adum’s father, George Kwaku Adum saw no reason to challenge the family head

any longer, he therefore gathered some money for his son to leave town.

So on February 13, 2005, young Kwesi left for Libya . By September 29, the same

year, Kwesi found himself in Italy .

Many well meaning people have spoken against young people embarking on journeys

through the desert but until you experience certain life threatening situations, you

can not begrudge those who sometimes risk travelling through the desert.

For Kwesi Adum and many young people like him, the journey to Italy was the only

option in life since it is better living outside your country than to be killed in

it.

The troubles for Kwesi were further aggravated when somewhere last year, he had the

information that his father had died. George Kwaku Adum had been killed was the

report on lips of many folks. The old man had been under intense pressure because he

was a threat to some people in the family.

Many had the opinion simple understanding could have saved the unfortunate situation

but in times of fighting for what you think is yours, there is a thin line between

reasoning and senseless acts.

It is the opinion of many people that our family and land systems should be

sanitized to ensure greater safety for the people.

Until that is done, including putting in place adequate measures to minimize

poverty, several young healthy people would have to flee their countries for safety.

Nana Kwadw Poku

Journalist/Youth Activist