Akyem Asene farmers demand compensation for destroyed plantations

More than 200 farmers in Akyem Asene, near Oda, have launched a protest against the government, demanding immediate and fair compensation for livelihoods lost to the new Accra-Kumasi expressway project. The farmers' cocoa, oil palm, and food crop plantations were demolished to clear the path for the road infrastructure, leaving many without their primary source of income. During a demonstration in Asene, the affected residents expressed frustration over the delay in payments, noting that their farms were destroyed more than eight months ago.

Led by community representatives including Kofi Koranteng Sarpong, the farmers highlighted the severe economic hardships they have faced since the demolition. Many reported difficulties in meeting daily household needs and paying school fees for their children. The local chief, Nana Ntiamoah Nyarko, supported the farmers' demands, stating that compensation should have been secured and disbursed before any destruction took place to prevent the current displacement of the local economy.

The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has acknowledged the grievances, explaining that not all destroyed farms had been fully assessed for compensation. Officials from the GHA indicated that additional measurements became necessary following changes in the expressway's width during the construction phase. While the authority has urged the farmers to remain patient as it works to address the outstanding claims, the farmers maintain that the lack of communication and the length of the delay have become unbearable.

This dispute underscores the challenges of land acquisition and farmer displacement in Ghana’s large-scale infrastructure projects. As construction on the Accra-Kumasi expressway continues, the community of Akyem Asene is calling for a transparent timeline for the completion of assessments and the prompt payment of all owed funds to restore the livelihoods of the over 200 families affected by the development.