Residents of Adeiso and its surrounding communities in the Eastern Region have issued a strong warning to the Okyehene Mponuahene not to step on any land in Adeiso and its environs, insisting that the lands belong to various families and must not be entered or interfered with without the consent of the rightful owners.
At a press conference, the residents said they would resist any attempt by the Mponuahene or persons allegedly acting in his name to enter their lands, destroy farms or undertake any activities on properties they claim as ancestral family lands.
They cautioned that the situation could escalate into serious conflict if urgent steps were not taken to address what they described as increasing tension over land ownership and alleged encroachment.
The residents alleged that individuals had been going around invoking the name of the Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, in attempts to assert control over lands in Adeiso and its environs.
They, however, said they believed the Okyehene might not be aware of the activities being undertaken in his name and appealed to him to intervene immediately.
“We are pleading with Osagyefo to put his feet down and ensure that he brings peace to Adeiso and its environs before it is too late,” the residents said.
According to them, the continued use of the Okyehene’s name in the land disputes was damaging the reputation of the traditional authority and creating unnecessary tension among residents.
The residents specifically warned the Okyehene Mponuahene not to step on any land in Adeiso and its environs, stressing that the lands are owned by different families and that no individual has the right to take possession of them through force.
They alleged that similar incidents had occurred in the past, including activities involving an individual identified as Asoreba, who they claimed had allegedly invoked the Okyehene’s name while entering lands and destroying farmers’ properties in connection with sand-winning activities.
The residents further alleged that, during the previous week, the man they identified as the Okyehene Mponuahene arrived at a disputed parcel of land with two graders and persons they described as land guards, with alleged firearms, and proceeded to destroy farm produce.
They said the incident had been reported to the police, the District Chief Executive and the chiefs of Adeiso.
The residents maintained that although they had people capable of confronting those allegedly interfering with their lands, they had deliberately chosen to pursue the matter through the law.
“We understand the law and know the law. We don’t want to take the law into our own hands,” they stated.
They therefore repeated their warning that the Okyehene Mponuahene must not step on any land in Adeiso and its environs, particularly lands belonging to families who have occupied and cultivated them for generations.
The residents also appealed to Kasapreko Company Limited to stay away from the disputed lands until ownership issues were properly resolved, stressing that they had nothing against the company but were determined to protect what they described as their ancestral properties.
They claimed the lands belonged to various families with historical links to Akuapem, Brekuso, Akyem and Ga communities, whose ancestors they said settled in the area generations ago.
The residents called on the Okyehene and relevant law-enforcement authorities to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.
They stressed that their objective was to protect their lands and livelihoods peacefully, warning that development cannot take place in an environment where land disputes continue to generate tension and fear.
