Some peasant farmers in the Ashanti Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region are threatening to face Forestry Commission over destruction of their farmlands.
They have named the Forestry Commission and Eco-planet Bamboo Company for forcefully taking over their plantain farms.
At a press conference held by the farmers Monday, August 19, 2024, they held that the persons from the supposed company stormed their farms with armed land guards and fell 350 acres of plantain belonging to the farmers.
Speaking at a press conference, chief of Abrewapon, who spoke on behalf of the farmers, Nana Opoku Nyantakyi Okokyeadie, indicated that the named company began the felling four days ago.
Nana Opoku said some farmers collapsed upon seeing the mass destruction of their farmlands.
“This started some days ago and many have died with some collapsing. Some have also fled because they couldn’t pay for the loans they took and some have committed suicide.
“From the past week, over 350 acres of plantain have been felled. This was orchestrated by the Forestry Commission and Eco Planet Bamboo who are planting bamboo at Agogo and its environs.
“People are dying, wives are dejecting their husbands because they can’t provide housekeeping money. These include plantain of widows and that is why we want the President to intervene. Until the Forestry Commission comes to tell us this is where they have given to the people to plant, there will never be peace here,” he cautioned.
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