Residents of Koforidua Akwadum in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region have demonstrated against their Chief, Nana Owusu Agyare over what they described as the illegal sale of lands belonging to the community coupled with the lack of social amenities confronting the area.
The demonstrators alleged that Nana Agyare had sold the Akwadum stool lands to some institutions and individuals in the region.
The demonstration was led by the Obaahemaa of Akwadum, Nana Adwoa Animah who accused the Akwadumhene of allegedly selling stool lands of about 1,701 acres unlawfully; an allegation we could not independently verify.
She accused the chief of allegedly selling off 1100 acres of land have been sold to the management of the Cocoa Research Institute (CRIG) in Akim Tafo, 100 acres to the Joy Daddy Industries, and 501 acres to the Koforidua Technical University.
According to her, an amount worth over Gh¢400,000.00 was profited from the land sale but no accounts have been rendered to the people of Akwadum.
Nana Adwoa Animah, while expressing her disappointment in the traditional ruler for his gesture said, his failure to consider using part of the profit made to develop the area with the provisions of social amenities is “mind-blowing.”
“As a mother of the town, I can not sit down, fold my arms, and watch him continue destroying Akwadum. So, this why we embarked on such demonstration exercise to demand accountability from him [Nana Owusu Agyare] on exactly what he used the huge sum amount for,” she added as quoted by Kingdom News’ John Oboh.
Nana Animah hinted that although they referred the Akwadumhene to the Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III to call him to order however their efforts proved futile.
She noted that the demonstrators are thus demanding accountability from the traditional ruler.
The Akwadum Obaahemaa also cautioned that the agitated youth of the area would not hesitate to renew their actions should Nana Owusu Agyare fail to heed their accountability call.
