People of Tema want probe into palm oil company land lease

Concerned Citizens of Tema New Town, have pleaded with the President, to order a full-scale investigation into the granting of portions of land at the Canoe Beach to Wilmar Palm Oil Processing Company, by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

They are of the view that the enquiry would result in public peace, trust and confidence.

In an open letter to the President, signed by Mr Stephen Ashitey Adjei, popularly called “Mo-Shake,” Spokesman for the Concerned Citizens, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tema, they called for the release of the detained fishermen.

They were of the view that the sale of the land would deprive the people of New Town of their livelihood, since that area “is used for the drying and processing of fresh fish caught, which is vital for the local fishing industry.”

They contended that with the overcrowding of Tema New Town, and the encroachment of the beach areas, there “is no alternative for the fishing community.”

The Concerned Citizens pointed out that if the Wilmar Project was allowed, it would, in their estimation, deprive the livelihood of over 10,000 families and the very little jobs promised by Wilmar, would only be “a drop in the ocean.”

It would be recalled that last Thursday, about 200 fishermen and fishmongers in Tema New Town, demonstrated against attempts to clear debris and erect a fence wall around the fish processing area, near the Canoe Beach.

The following day, a mob set on fire, a bulldozer and a pickup truck, being used for the project.

They also burnt an office and a workshop of the GPHA, vandalised the palace of Nii Adjei Kraku the Second, Tema Manste, and destroyed three vehicles belonging to the Tema Traditional Council.

So far 32 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, with four of them having been released by the Police.

Source: GNA