Traders at the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) area in Accra are opposing an alleged attempt by Dasebre Nyako Asumadu Appiah, the Paramount Chief of the Akyem Wenchi Traditional Area, to claim ownership of the land they have occupied for decades. The traders reported that surveyors, claiming to represent the chief, recently appeared at the market to measure the land, asserting that the Ghana Railways Authority had transferred it to the chief in exchange for financial assistance to pay workers’ salaries.

Madam Diana Nyonkopa Daniels, spokesperson for the traders and CEO of Peace Watch Ghana, refuted these claims, highlighting inconsistencies in the timeline. She noted that the traders have been operating there since the early 1990s, while the alleged land transfer occurred in 2018. She also emphasized that occupants should have the first right of refusal if the land is being sold or leased.

The traders expressed concerns about potential eviction, citing the high cost of shops in the area, which could be unaffordable for many, including widows and single mothers. They also alleged that the chief had threatened to deploy military personnel to take over the land, prompting them to seek protection from the Greater Accra Regional Police Command.

In response, the traders have vowed to resist any eviction attempts, insisting that the land belongs to the state. They have called on President Mahama to fulfill his pledge to reclaim all state lands, including CMB, and plan to petition relevant institutions to support their cause.