Industries have taken over our farmlands — Nii Shipi

Nii Armah Somponu II, the Shipi of Tema, has called on the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA) to work hand in hand with the Tema Traditional Council in their operations.

He said this on Monday during a courtesy call on the Tema Mantse by Mr  Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister of Transport, as part of his working visit to the GPHA.

Nii Somponu II observed that since the land on which GPHA and other industries in Tema resided belonged to the Tema stool, they expected GPHA to relate with them more in their operations so the host community could benefit.
 
“These industries survive at the expense of our traditional existence, yet nothing monumental has been done to show what GPHA has done for us,” he lamented.

Nii Somponu II observed that the Gas were originally farmers but their lands were taken over by the numerous industries in Tema and prayed the industries to pay royalties to the stool so they could get money to cater for their communities.

Mr. Asiamah said the concerns of the Tema Traditional Council were legitimate adding that “government is a continues process and we would certainly address your concerns; we would not turn our backs on you.”

“All is about jobs; it would be sad if you stay in your community and foreigners come to take over your jobs. But we have taken your concerns and will address them. If GPHA cannot point to one edifice and say we did this for the community, then I think it is not fair,” he said.

Nii Adjei Kraku II, Paramount Chief of the Tema Traditional Area, was grateful for the visit and prayed the Minister to take their concerns seriously.

Source: GNA