The Chief of Ettokrom in the Eastern region, Barima Etto Adomako III, has raised concerns over the destruction of a rubber plantation on community land, alleging that the area is now being used for illegal mining activities.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the chief said residents were living in fear following reports of the destruction, adding that three people had reportedly lost their lives in connection with the situation.
He said he was alerted on Friday by young men tasked with guarding the plantation that some individuals had brought machinery to the site to destroy the farm.
“I asked them to find out where the people had come from and who had authorised them to undertake the destruction,” he said.
Barima Adomako III said he had encountered some of the individuals weeks earlier, and they told him that they were the new owners because the licence of the existing operators had expired.
He said he requested documents to support their claims, but none was presented.
“I was worried when I heard what was happening because, when I asked them for the necessary documents, they could not provide any. Now we are hearing that the place is being used for galamsey,” he said.
The chief described the reported developments as detrimental to the community and the country, warning that the situation had heightened anxiety among residents.
Barima Adomako III insisted that the land belongs to the community and questioned the basis on which any individual or group could claim ownership or authorise activities there without his knowledge.
He explained that, according to the community’s history, the land was granted to an entity he referred to as Fusha in 1907 under a 100-year lease, which he said had since expired.
“The land belongs to the community. In 1907, the then chief gave it to Fusha for 100 years, and that lease has now expired. I cannot sell the land,” he stated.
He further maintained that any decision to dispose of the land would have to follow the appropriate traditional authority and consultation processes.
According to him, the Okyenhene is the only person with the authority to sell the land, and any such decision would require consultation with him as the local chief.
He added that none of his subjects had his authorisation to sell the land.
The chief disclosed that he had written letters seeking an audience with the president’s alleged brother over the matter, but his attempts had so far been unsuccessful.
He expressed concern that the continued destruction of the plantation and the alleged mining activities could have serious consequences for the community.
Barima Etto Adomako III called for the matter to be addressed in the interest of residents and the wider public.
