Story: Asona Dehyie Kwateng
Tension is mounting in several communities within the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region as chiefs, residents, and farmers threaten to take the law into their own hands over what they describe as an illegal and forceful seizure of their farmlands by Koans Estate Developers.
The affected communities — Asantekrom, Ningbo Panpanso, Yaw Boame, Paulkrom, Shia Panpanso, Amponsahene, Govinakrom, and parts of Teacher Mante and Kyekyewere — have expressed outrage, accusing the real estate company of unlawfully taking over more than 4,000 acres of their land without consultation or compensation.
According to the angry residents, the developer has allegedly deployed heavy-duty excavators to destroy farmlands, buildings, and cash crops, including cocoa, cashew, cassava, and plantain — the main sources of livelihood for the people. They claim that Koans Estate, emboldened by political connections, insists that his party is in power and therefore untouchable.
The chiefs in the affected areas have vehemently denied ever selling or leasing lands to Koans Estate, describing the move as an outright land grab. They further alleged that the developer has gone ahead to register the community lands in his name at the Lands Commission without any authorization from the traditional authorities or the rightful owners.
Residents who spoke to The Crusading Guide revealed that a court injunction has been placed on the disputed lands, but the developer continues to operate in defiance of the court order. They accused Koans Estate of using armed police and land guards to intimidate and assault locals who attempt to stop the destruction of their farms.
Some affected farmers lamented the loss of their lifetime investments, stating that their families are now on the brink of starvation. “Our crops, our homes, and our heritage are being destroyed before our eyes,” one distraught farmer said, adding that the community will defend their lands with their lives if the government fails to intervene.
The chiefs and residents have therefore appealed to the government, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Coordinator to step in before the situation explodes. They warned that any further silence from authorities would be interpreted as complicity in the ongoing injustice.
Meanwhile, the communities have also called on civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and the media to draw national attention to their plight. They insist that if immediate action is not taken to halt the activities of Koans Estate, the district could soon witness chaos, violence, and bloodshed.
