The Queenmother Addressing The Audience
Aggrieved youth of Babator in the Bole District of the Northern Region have threatened to reclaim their lands if the management of ACDEVCO Ghana Limited (AgDevCo), an agro-based investment company, continues to breach the terms of an agreement on 25,621.89 acres of land leased to the firm.
Presenting their case at the CARITAS Ghana Annual Learning and Review Meeting on Land Grabbing (ALARM), the representatives of the youth, queen mother, Kansawurchi Bukai and Assembly member Akore Bakoji Mahamadu, disclosed that the juicy land deal, which was shown to them, has become a very bitter experience.
The event, which was held at the National Catholic Secretariat, was under the theme, ‘Securing Community Lands for Domestic Agricultural Production and Food Security in the context of SDG2.’
SDG2 is about ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.
According to them, “They leased a total of 25,821.86 acres of land in 2015 to the investor (AgDevCo) covering fifty (50) years for an agro based project intended to be a collaborative venture with the people.
They said that the investor had settled the three traditional rulers and their cohorts to the neglect of the owners of the land, adding that the entire area is under strict surveillance to keep the people from farming or gathering shea nuts on the land, which is their main occupation.
“At the community consultation forum, we were informed of a beautiful project which will lead to poverty eradication among our people, but it’s just so sad that we are now slaves on our own lands,” they remarked.
A representative of the Lands Commission, who was concerned about the development, confirmed the report and gave assurance that the Commission would call the investor to order.
He called on all stakeholders to advocate the passage of the Lands Bill so that aggrieved persons in a land deal can go to court for redress.
The Catholic Bishop of Jasikan, Fr. Mante appealed to President Akufo-Addo to help tackle the land craze, which has gained currency in the country, adding that the case of Babator is just one sad one out of many others that are not yet in the public domain.
A Technical Director at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, who represented the Minister John-Peter Amewu at the event, indicated that the ministry recognizes the unfortunate developments where the rights of many peasant farmers in peri-urban areas, whose livelihoods are tied to their farms, had been violated.
He gave assurance that government would help tackle the issues confronting the country, especially at a time when government is rekindling interest in agriculture.
Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary of CARITAS Ghana, indicated that the dialogue series are being held in the context of Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals to encourage opinion leaders, civil society groups to create awareness about the subject.
By Solomon Ofori