By Muyid Deen Suleman
Kumasi, May 6, GNA – The youth of Adum-Nkwanwoma in the Atwima Kwanmoma district of the Ashanti Region are demanding transparency and accountability from their Chief, Nana Agyenim Boateng Kra-addo, regarding allegations of illicit sale of community lands designated for development.
According to the youth, a significant portion of the community lands intended for developmental purposes have been sold to private developers by the chief, a situation they deem intolerable.
Opanin Charles Manu, leader of the group, at a press conference to register their protest, said all projects aimed at community advancement have come to a standstill, with new initiatives currently underway that lack adequate community consultation.
Citing specific instances, he explained that they were displaced from the previous market at the Cocoa Shed, which was now being transformed into a community Police station and were subsequently allocated an alternative location for trading.
However, he lamented that this newly designated trading area had also been sold by the Chief to a private developer, who is now planning to establish a fuel station.
He emphasised that since the chief’s ascension to the throne, development within the area had stagnated, necessitating urgent involvement and engagement from stakeholders.
Nana Afia Ampomah, a senior community member, expressed her discontent regarding the lack of development since the chief assumed his role.
She articulated that the community remains underdeveloped, highlighting the absence of public toilets, a reliable water supply, and adequate market facilities as pressing concerns for the entire populace.
She noted that the chief had summoned several traders, predominantly women, to his palace to inform them of his intention to sell the land allocated for the market, promising to compensate them with GHC2,000 each.
She recounted that the fourteen women who attended the meeting accepted the cash without hesitation.
Consequently, the community is appealing to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and all relevant stakeholders to intervene and restore order regarding the chief’s actions.
Efforts to reach the assembly member for the area have proven unsuccessful and attempts to contact the chief have also been unfruitful.
GNA
LAA