The Chief of Akyem Bieni of the Kotoku Traditional Council, Nana Ahenkora Marfo II, has appealed to the government to release 384 acres of land acquired by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) from his ancestors more than eight decades ago.
He is demanding the release of the land, arguing that the community has not benefited from the development and employment opportunities reportedly promised when the land was acquired for cocoa cultivation and management.
Nana Ahenkora Marfo made the appeal during celebrations marking his 25th anniversary as chief, where he expressed disappointment over what he described as COCOBOD’s failure to fulfil its commitments to the people of Bieni.
According to him, the community has endured years of limited development despite the considerable period the institution has occupied the land.
He said the situation has become increasingly concerning, particularly because successive efforts to secure development projects and employment opportunities for residents, especially the youth, had yielded little progress.
The traditional leader said the continued occupation of the 384 acres had restricted residents’ access to land for farming and other essential development activities.
He explained that local farmers are facing difficulties securing suitable land for agricultural production, while the community is also struggling to identify available spaces for infrastructure projects and other development initiatives.
He warned that the growing frustration among residents, particularly the youth, could trigger actions that might not be in the interest of the community if the concerns remained unresolved.
Nana Ahenkora Marfo disclosed that several attempts had been made over the years to engage the relevant authorities and find an amicable solution, but those efforts had reportedly failed to produce the desired outcome.
He said the prolonged lack of progress has heightened tensions within the community, with residents and the youth increasingly considering alternative measures to draw attention to their grievances.
The chief consequently called on the government and COCOBOD to intervene and initiate meaningful discussions with the traditional authorities and residents to resolve the matter.
Beyond the land acquisition concerns, Nana Ahenkora Marfo expressed dissatisfaction with the poor state of infrastructure and the limited availability of essential social amenities in Bieni.
He identified inadequate road infrastructure, poor school facilities and insufficient healthcare services as some of the major challenges affecting the community.
According to him, the deplorable condition of the road network has made transportation difficult for residents, while the lack of appropriate educational infrastructure continues to affect efforts to provide a conducive teaching and learning environment for schoolchildren.
He also highlighted the community’s healthcare challenges, stressing the need for accessible and adequately equipped health facilities to meet the medical needs of residents.
The traditional leader said the government must pay greater attention to Bieni’s development needs by addressing the infrastructure deficits and ensuring that residents benefit from interventions capable of improving their living conditions.
Some residents who shared their concerns during the anniversary celebrations also appealed to the government and relevant authorities to intervene and help resolve the longstanding land-related concerns.
They supported the chief’s call, citing the difficulties confronting local farmers in accessing agricultural land and the community’s limited access to basic social amenities.
The residents urged COCOBOD, the government and traditional authorities to engage in constructive dialogue to find a lasting and mutually acceptable solution.
They further called for greater consideration of the needs of the younger generation, noting that access to land, employment opportunities, quality education and healthcare infrastructure would be critical to improving livelihoods and stimulating development in the area.
The concerns raised by the Bieni chief have brought renewed attention to the community’s longstanding grievances over the reported acquisition of 384 acres of land by COCOBOD and the development commitments associated with the arrangement.
The community is now appealing for urgent intervention to address the land access challenges, improve basic infrastructure and secure opportunities for residents.
By 1960news.com
