Tema West Ramsar Site Farmers Demand Justice As Assembly Workers Destroy Gh¢30,000 Worth Of Crops
Farmers operating within the Ramsar site enclave along the Klagon area in the Tema West Constituency say they are on the verge of losing their farmlands and livelihoods following persistent threats of eviction from the area, which serves as their primary source of income.
The distressed farmers claim they were granted permission by the Tema Traditional Authorities to cultivate the land, which is a designated wetland.
However, they allege that the Tema West Municipal Assembly has begun constructing drains on the site without prior consultation, resulting in the destruction of several acres of crops.
According to them, they had expected the Assembly to engage them and reach an amicable agreement, particularly regarding compensation, before undertaking any development activities on the farmland. Instead, the Assembly is carrying out the project with the support of landguards, who they say have been harassing and threatening them whenever they attempt to access their farms.
The farmers, some of whom have worked on the land for over 20 years, say the eviction threats put at risk not only their livelihoods but also the employment opportunities of many young people engaged in farming in the area.
They argue that the situation contradicts President Mahama’s vision of strengthening local food production by encouraging more Ghanaians to venture into farming, adding that such actions rather discourage youth participation in agriculture.
The Farmers’ Leader, Abdulai Amidu, lamented that crops valued at GH¢30,000 have already been destroyed and called for immediate compensation.
A member of the Friends of Wetlands Association of Ghana, Alhaji Haruna Ali, also expressed concern that the development could discourage the youth from entering farming. He urged authorities to intervene urgently and compensate the affected farmers.
Meanwhile several efforts to get the Municipal Chief Executive of the Tema West Municipal Assembly to respond to this issues proved futile.
REPORTER: AHIABOR AUGUSTINE
