Members of Sunyani Municipal Garages And Farmers Demonstrate Over Unpaid Compensation
Members of the Ghana National Association of Garages Sunyani Municipal Branch and some farmers have organized a peaceful protest to demand their compensation following the takeover of their lands at Afrisipakrom in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region.
Their lands were taken over for the diversion of the Sunyani-Kumasi Highway as a result of the Newmont Ahafo North Project.They blocked a portion of the ongoing road diversion project at Afrisipakrom with a bus and stones to demand compensation.
Newmont Africa is funding the construction of the 8.5-kilometer road, which is being executed by Alexiboam.
However, members of the Ghana National Association of Garages, Sunyani Municipal Branch and some affected farmers whose lands were taken as a result of the road diversion have staged a peaceful protest to demand compensation for their losses. They blocked a section of the road with their bus and stones.
According to them, since 2021, when their lands were taken, they have not received any compensation.
The Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Garages Sunyani Municipal Branch, Peter Aboagye Antwi, spoke on the issue.
“ We have lost 23 acres of our land following the diversion of the road, sine 2021 we tried all means to get our compensation but we are unsuccessful that is why we are doing this peaceful protest to get our compensation.”
Some farmers who also lost their farmlands following the construction of the road also spoke in an interview.
Akosua Bayaa said, “They have repeatedly promised to pay us, but haven not delivered. I am struggling to survive and need the money desperately. I am begging them to pay me I need that money before I die.”
Comfort Osei Tutu noted, “My farmer was destroyed, they have not paid us even 1 cedi. We have to buy food stuffs from Sunyani. Because of what they have done to the land we cannot farm on it. They have promised several times to pay but they have failed.”
Rockson Asante added, “Newmont took our lands when we go to them they will direct us to Highways. They have deceived us on several occasions. With what is happening if they finish the construction of the road will not see them again.”
Source:firstnewsroom.com
