An affected trader speaking with the media
Over 2000 artisans have protested against the Tema Development Corporation’s (TDC) decision to forcefully evacuate them from a land they occupy at Kpone Barrier in the Kpone Katamanso Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.
The 36 hectares of land lying along the Tema-Aflao Road between Dawhenya and the B5 Construction Limited near Kpone Barrier have become the permanent residence and business sector for the artisans.
The residents on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, registered their displeasure in the area after some military men invaded the location, instructing them to vacate the portion of land without prior notice.
The aggrieved protestors, narrating their ordeal to the media, said the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) owns the land and aims to reserve it to establish schools in the area.
According to the occupants, they acquired the land in consultation with the chiefs of Kpone, who freely gave out the land with the consent of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
“TDC has served us notice to vacate the place in a few months, indicating that TDC has moved on to sell the land to private investors without consulting the chiefs and GBC.”
"TDC, on some occasions, deploys military personnel to force us from the land. We headed to court to remind TDC that we acquired the land from the chief in Kpone and would comply with the directives of the chiefs only,” they mentioned.
The artisans' group, including food vendors, electrical engineers, tanker modelers, craftsmen, and drivers, bemoaned TDC’s action, saying their livelihood will be in crisis since the current location remains their sole business hub.
The artisans added that the current government supports the activities and actions of TDC to sell lands in the Tema enclave to private businessmen without considering the plight of the citizens.
Expressing their concern over authorities selling the land, the artisans stated they have occupied the land for the last 20 years and are ready to negotiate with the authorities for any amount to transfer ownership to keep them on the land for their business purposes.
Following the previous notice for the residents to vacate the place, on Wednesday, June 26, the Kpone Katamanso District Assembly charged military and police personnel to destroy structures belonging to artisans.
