RESIDENTS of VRA resettlements appeal to govt

RESIDENTS of Volta River Authority (VRA) resettlements in three Kpando districts in the Volta Region have appealed to the government to resettle them, to save them from injustices being perpetrated against them by the Chiefs and people of Kpando Fesi.
The residents from Kpando Fesi, Kpando Bame and Kpando Agbenorhoe were ejected from communities such as Gbefe, Sempeta, Hatukope, Avetikope and Zelevukope to pave way for the construction of the Akosombo Dam.
In 1963, the government acquired lands on behalf of VRA to resettle them.
The Chairman of a Unit Committee in the resettlement area, Mr Kumi Simmons told the Daily Graphic in an interview in Accra today that, a section of the youth of Kpando Fesi had been threatening their lives and creating an atmosphere of insecurity by sporadic firing of guns into the air.
He alleged that the youth appeared to be carrying out the threats of war which were allegedly issued by Togbe Afendza III, chief of Kpando Fesi.
According to Mr Simmons the youth allegedly invaded their communities on June 3, 2009 and repeated their lawless act of firing guns in the air to create fear among members of the communities thereby halting all economic activities.
He said “ since the threats were issued a month ago, we have not being to our farms, our children and women are hungry and we the men are helpless”.
According to him, the situation had created poverty, hunger and insecurity in the three communities, after the Kpando youth destroyed almost every crop on their farms.
“As if not enough, they fell trees on our farms which led to debris filling the only pond we use as a source of water during the dry season”, he complained.
He further alleged that after their farms were destroyed, Togbe Afendza III sent his linguist and one Mr Agorbortu Robert to inform their Headman, Togbui Etsiada that from June 3, 2009 onwards, no settler should go to his or her farms or move anywhere for a month otherwise they would be shot and killed.
He said the government was their last hope since all efforts to have the matter peacefully settled by the VRA, the District Chief Executive, Members of Parliament and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) had been to no avail.
“The government should quickly come to our aid, because we believe next time when they come, they will not fire their guns in the air, but rather turn their muzzles on us”, he added and urged the government to intercede to prevent any act of genocide.
Mr Simmons said the residents had been living in the resettlement quarters since the reign of the Togbe Afendza II, who gave the lands to the VRA, 46 years ago, after the payment of huge sums of monies by the government as compensation.
“Since his death and the enthronement of Tobge Afendza III, we have not had peace as he and his elders have imposed certain conditions which are difficult to comply with”, he lamented.
Enumerating the some of the conditions, he said “owners of all newly built houses on any of the compounds of the VRA resettlement quarters were to pay GH¢20 and two bottles of foreign schnapps to the Afendza stool.
“Owners of building that fall outside the quarters but are within the resettlement area are to pay GH¢30, one live ram, and four bottles of schnapps”, he stated.
Additionally, he said, they were compelled to attend communal labour at Fesi Township, whilst residents of the town failed to attend communal labour at the resettlement.
Mr Simmons said they were also not allowed to touch palm and teak trees they had planted on the land and were also not allowed to create any cemetery or bury a corspe in the resettlement without the prior approval from the Chief and his elders.
For record purposes, he said they demanded a written copy of the conditions imposed on them, but surprisingly, Togbe and his elders declined to honour their request
He said they were therefore pleading with the government to intercede before the inevitable happened.