The establishment of a diaspora settlement in the Central Region is in limbo as the 123 acres of land allocated for the project has come under contention as a family claiming ownership of the land has secured an injunction against developers stalling an official sod cutting ceremony for the project.
The 123 acres of land was allocated by the Omanhene of Asebu Okatakyie Amenfi VII for the establishment of a diaspora settlement community following the declaration of the Year of Return in 2020.
But shortly after the allocation, the Akoa Anona family of Asebu stepped forward to claim ownership of the land and demanded for the reversal of the traditional leader’s decision.
The family averrers that they are the allodial owners of the land and was not properly engaged before the allocation was made.
Since 2020 the lefties have been engaged in a tussle with members of the family who claim that their farms have been destroyed by developers demanding for compensation.
A member of the family whose farm has been destroyed Opanin Kwesi Ottoo revealed that, life has become difficult for him as his main source of income which was his farm was destroyed without his approval.
He says other members of the family who farmed at places described as Yaa Kweku, Adomba, Kyekyeku and Ahwiagyan are also in similar situations.
He wants government intervention to have the matter redressed.
The Cape Coast High Court 3 which was superintended by Justice Benard Bentil has granted an interlocutor injunction that was being sought by the family in part.
The court has restrained any entity from carrying out any mining activity in the area.
Before this development the family managed to put on hold an official sod cutting ceremony for the establishment of the community.
Spokesperson for the family, Kwame Agyir has decried threats and intimidations meted out to family members by some new occupants of the land who are foreigners and says the family is resolved to secure back their ownership of the land.
He argues that lands in the Asebu area are owned by respective families and not the stool hence the Chief has no capacity to allocate the land to foreigners.
The court has set 29 January 2024 as the next date for hearing the case.
