Cocoa farmers at Hiawu Besease in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti region, have appealed to the COCOBOD and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene in the destruction of their cocoa farms.
The aggrieved farmers claim that portions of their cocoa farms have been destroyed without their consent or prior consultation by traditional authorities in the community.
The farmers, who staged a peaceful demonstration over the development, said the affected farms were their main source of livelihood and that their destruction had left them worried about their economic future.
According to them, they sometimes woke up to discover that cocoa trees on their farms had been cut down without any prior notice.
The farmers said they approached the relevant authorities after the incidents and were informed that the affected areas had been earmarked for rezoning and the creation of residential plots.
They, however, expressed concern that no proper consultation had taken place with the affected farmers before their cocoa farms were destroyed.
They are consequently calling for an investigation into the matter and appropriate compensation for the farms and cocoa trees they claim to have lost.
Speaking to journalists during the peaceful demonstration, the Chairman of the affected farmers, Mr. Fuseni Alhassan, appealed to COCOBOD to intervene and protect the interests of the affected farmers.
He said the farmers had invested years of hard work and resources into cultivating their farms and could not understand why their farms would be destroyed without adequate consultation.
Mr. Alhassan also called on the government and relevant authorities to ensure that cocoa farmers were protected from the unlawful destruction of their farms.
He further appealed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene in the matter and help find an amicable solution to the dispute.
The farmers are demanding compensation from those responsible for cutting down their cocoa trees, saying the destruction has affected their livelihoods and future income.
They also want the authorities to ensure that no further destruction of cocoa farms takes place without proper engagement with the affected farmers and compliance with the appropriate laws and procedures.
The farmers said they remain hopeful that COCOBOD, the government and traditional authorities would act swiftly to resolve the matter.
BySamuel Ofori Boateng, GNA