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Land dispute at Swedru Zongo

Mon, 17 Feb 2003 Source: The Independent

But for the timely intervention of Nana Kobina Botwe II, chief of Agona Swedru and his sub-chiefs, a possible clash between two factions at old Zongo would have dispalced many people in the area.

The two factions were led on one side by the incumbent chief of Zongo, Idris Darfi III and his people and the other led by Messrs Amadu Dankubegye, supported by Iddi and Habibu Idris.

The feud was in connection with the entire Zongo land area which chief Darfi claims was bought by his late grandfather, Mallam Zaafi I, who he said bough the land in dispute in 1944 from Swedru chiefs at ?168 for both the cost and "earnest fees". The opposing group however contends that their forefathers contributed towards the maintenance and other administrative cost of Mallam Zaafi's palace and other projects in the area, thus claiming that they should be given a fair share of the land for their activities.

By this development, the Amadu Dankubegye group who apperently is not in favour of the "Land Lord" situation because they believed that "Zongo belongs to us all" had therefore swore not to pay any more royalties to their supposed land lords.

Not the least amused by the intransigence of their neighbours, Chief Darfi and his people tendered in evidence, a document showing that the whole zongo land belongs to his grand father and therefore had every authority to demand any contribution that in his estimation, may help in developing the area.

Nana Botwe II, in an address, asked the two factions to respect the authority of the chief whom they themselves have enskined to rule over Zongo and support him in bringing peace to the Zongo area.

He advised the two factions not t do anything that will bring the name "Zongo" into disrepute because Nananom are very much aware of the contributions they have been making towards the development of Agona Swedru.

Nana Kojo Amachie II Anokobeahen also asked them to let peace prevail at the Zongo community and warned that all those who will misbehave after the settlement of the rumpus would be handed over to the security agents for the necessary action.

Source: The Independent