Youth demonstrate against high cost of land

Pramso (Ash), July 30, GNA - About 150 youth of Pramso in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District have demonstrated against the high cost of land being sold to citizens of the town. They later converged at the palace where they demanded a reduction in the cost of a plot of land from 1.5 million cedis currently sold to them.

The youth also asked the Chief, Nana Owusu Bempah to engage a qualified surveyor to demarcate the lands instead of using Mr I. K. Nyame, the Nkosuohene of the town, who had no knowledge in surveying, to avert the problem of haphazard physical development in the future. They said if the Nkosuohene were not removed they would advise themselves.

Mr Paul Osei, a Spokesman for the youth, told the Ghana News Agency that 1.5 million cedis for a plot of land was too much for the youth most of whom were unemployed.

"We will not accept any explanation short of a drastic reduction in the price of land."

Nana Bempah, in defence of the price of a plot of land, said it was to enable him to build a befitting palace for the town.

"I have taken the demand of the youth into consideration and have, therefore, reduced the price to one million cedis after consulting my elders."

He said it would further be reduced to a fee to be decided on after consultations with the youth in two weeks time and asked them to be patient.

Mr Nyame said the agitation by the youth was politically motivated and explained that he had not assumed the role of a surveyor. He said as the Nkosuohene it was incumbent on him to be part of any development programme or decision on the town hence his involvement in the planning and development processes.