More than 20 farmers, predominantly women, have lost their livelihoods after their farmlands were allegedly destroyed by the chief of Odaho and a private developer in the Ashanti Region.
The affected farmers, who cultivated cassava, plantain, maize, and cocoa on over 20 acres of land, now face devastating losses and fear a worsening of their living conditions.
The farmers accuse the chief of deliberately destroying their farms for personal gain, claiming that the proposed road construction is merely a pretext for land grabbing.
Elderly farmers, like 70-year-old Maame Antwiwaa, voiced their concerns and frustrations, expressing deep fear for their future. “I’ve worked on this land for decades, and now everything is gone. How will we survive?” she lamented.
Assembly Member Hakeem Mohammed is working to address the situation peacefully and protect the farmers’ rights.
“I wanted to get first-hand information, so I went to the Chief to ask him about that incident. He told me that he sold that land to a developer so it’s the developer that sent his guys to come and clear the land and so he has called the developer to come and compensate the people.”
In an interview, with Channel One News, the chief of Odaho, Nana Kwadwo Adu Bobi II, emphasised his commitment to community development and claimed that the road project is intended to benefit the people.
However, he clarified that the recent destruction of the farmlands was carried out by a private developer, who is his nephew had legally purchased the land but destroyed the farms without his knowledge.
The chief expressed regret over the developer’s actions saying, “When he came to the land, he couldn’t even come to me, he never came to me because he knew that I was so angry and maybe I was going to say something that won’t be good for him.”
“So, he just boycotted me and went and so when it came, I wasn’t pleased with that. If they could have waited for a certain time, maybe in three months, everything would be done but unfortunately, the damage is done and so we are now waiting for the solutions.”
Meanwhile, the affected farmers demand justice and compensation for their losses.