A recent land acquisition deal in Kukurantumi has sparked controversy, pitting Otado Investment Limited against local farmers.
The company, which provides services and undertakes estate development projects in the Eastern region, acquired 500 acres of land in the Akyem Abuakwa North Municipality.
According to reports, Otado Investment Limited contacted the Chief of Kukurantumi and Adontenhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Daasebre Boamah Darko II, to purchase the land. Daasebre Boamah Darko informed his overlord, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who gave his consent for the transaction to proceed.
However, local farmers who were farming on the land were not pleased with the deal.
Despite Daasebre Boamah Darko’s efforts to inform them about the sale and discuss compensation, they refused to meet with him.
Instead, they went to Daasebre Kwaku Boateng II, Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, and pleaded with him to admit that the land belongs to his stool, in an attempt to prevent the sale.
At a durbar held at the Chief’s Palace in Koforidua, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng made it clear that the land belongs to the stool of Kukurantumi and advised the farmers to meet with the appropriate authority to discuss compensation.
However, the farmers refused to accept the ruling and advice.
Otado Investment Limited claims to have conducted a search before acquiring the land and found it to be free from any litigation.
The company has also made efforts to meet with the farmers to discuss compensation for their crops, but they have been met with resistance and acts of hooliganism.
In a statement, Otado Investment Limited said, “As a company who abides by the laws of the land, we notified the Eastern Regional Police Command about the turn of events on the land and the challenge we are facing from the few farmers who have some crops on the land.”
-BY Daniel Bampoe
