Concerned Citizens of Maabang in the Atwima Nwabiagya North Municipality, Ashanti Region have given government up to the end of September to pay compensation packages agreed in the acquisition of their land for forest reserve around the Barekese Dam some years ago.

 

 

The group further cautioned that if the amount is not funded, they will engage the property for farming regardless of its purpose in order to be able to fend for their families.

The then government of the country ceased the stretch of land from the inhabitants of Maabang when the Barekese Dam was built in the Ashanti Region. Forest was then established to surround the dam to help the ground absorb more of a flash flood in order to reduce soil loss, which could easily damage the property. 

In order to influence regional weather patterns and even create microclimates, inhabitants were restricted from farming in the woodland as guards were employed to look after the property for the benefit of the water reservoir, which supplies 80 percent of homes in the Region water.

According to the families of the owners, before the government procured the property, compensation was promised to be given to farmers of the land.

 

 

The Public Relations Officer of the group, Hanson Kumi explained that for decades now, government has not made the payment. He expressed that what hardly knocks them is that unknown people have started farming on the property, which is an ‘insult’ to their existence.

“This forest was acquired and reserved by our early fathers for the sake of good drinking water. People have started farming on the land, and it goes against the aim of taking the land from us,” he said.

“The reason why we are holding this interview is that government has not paid landowners since he took the land from us. No compensation has been received therefore if strangers have begun farming the forest which shields the dam, our message is simple, we need our land.

 

 

 

“This is our forest and we are capable of farming on it but for the respect, we have for government, we chose not to. If the property is not given back until September, we will stage a big protest in defense of our asset. its either he pays us for cutting down our cocoa farms or give back our property for farming,” he added.

 

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Kumi further explained that it is not just the Maabang land that has been absorbed by unknown persons for agricultural purposes but also the sweep from the Atwima Nwabiagya North to Offinso has also been engaged. He confirmed that the Chief of Maabang has responded that he has not given any land to a guest hence their eagerness to claim what is theirs.

“Maabang inhabitants are not the only ones complaining. Unfamiliar persons have turned this stretch, which expands, from here to Offinso into farms. Our chief has given no land to any person because he knows it’s benefit to the Region through the dam.

 

 

“We don’t know where the authority came from. It’s either the government stops them from farming, pays our compensation and the land is his. If he is not willing to settle us, he should give back our land. It's unfair for strangers to take over our own property. The cost of living here is high just like Kumasi all because there are no lands to engage in farming,” he said.

He called on key stakeholders and opinion leaders in the Ashanti Region to intervene before the City begins to suffer from water crises.

“We are calling on the government, the Asantehene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Authorities of Ghana Water, and the Ghana Forestry Commission to intervene,” he ended.

Member of the Concerned Citizens of Maabang, Mr. Abu Musah revealed that forest guards were very active in the forest until the demise of the site manager. He warned that they have been patient enough yet nothing transforming from the country administrators seems to favor them. He reiterated that if they have to lay down their lives for justice to be served, it's worth it.

 

 

“When the dam was created and the land was acquired, the government couldn’t compensate our family. Their cocoa farms were ceased and caught down which made it difficult for them to further our education due to the government’s failure to pay the compensation.

“What baffles me is that there was a dam site manager called Mr. Albert Nkrumah. Since his sudden death, the forest guards were expelled leading to people taking over.

“Our plea is that we need our compensation, if not the government should give us our land. We are looking up to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu to speak for us.

“If we have to sacrifice our lives for this land, we will for the sake of our children,” he vehemently spoke.