A/R: Imminent Plantain Shortage Looms In Ghana Due To Mass Destruction of Farms For Bamboo Plantation.

A growing dispute in the Asante Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region has sparked outrage among peasant farmers, who are threatening to confront the Forestry Commission and Eco-Planet Bamboo Company over the forceful seizure and destruction of their farmlands.

The farmers, who primarily cultivate plantain and onion, have accused the company, backed by armed land guards, of brutally taking over their land and devastating their livelihoods.

The farmers had successfully cultivated 32,000 acres out of a 60,000-acre expanse, primarily with plantain crops and onion.

However, they were left in shock and despair when Eco-Planet Bamboo Company, allegedly acting under the authority of the Forestry Commission, began destroying their plantations.

In a recent raid, over 350 acres of plantain farms in Abrewapong a community in Agogo were obliterated, leaving them in disarray.

The government’s “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme, which had been declared a success, particularly in Agogo due to the bountiful plantain harvest which is exported to foreign markets, is now at risk.

The widespread destruction has sparked fears of an impending plantain shortage, a staple food that many Ghanaians rely on.

At a press conference held in response to the devastating incident, the Chief of Abrewapong, Nana Opoku Nyantakyi Okogyeade, who represented the farmers, expressed their deep frustration and anguish.

“The Eco-Planet Bamboo Company started the destruction four days ago,” he revealed.

“When we asked them who authorized them, they said the Forestry Commission did. So they destroyed our plantain farms and started planting bamboo trees.”

Nana Opoku recounted the emotional toll the destruction has taken on the farmers, some of whom collapsed upon witnessing the extensive damage to their livelihoods.

He also highlighted the financial burden now weighing heavily on the farmers.

“They have destroyed my 14-acre plantain farm, in which I invested GHS 150,000. The most painful thing is that I would have been cultivating it next week.

“Now, how do I pay back the bank loans? We know the lands belong to the government, but you can’t give a foreign company 84 compartments of land like that.”

He pleaded for a compromise, urging the authorities to consider the farmers’ plight.

“We are pleading with them to at least give us 40 compartments so that we can also farm on it.”

Chief Farmer of Agogo, Nana Asadu Kukrubuor, echoed these sentiments, warning of potential unrest if the situation is not addressed.

“If they don’t stop this unlawful activity, we’ll face them boot for boot, even if it means they will kill us since they keep threatening us,” he declared.

“We’ve been told there are commands from above, but we don’t care; we are ready to face them.”

The ongoing destruction of farms in the area, which has reportedly been occurring for some time but intensified in recent days, has primarily targeted the community of Abrewapon, with over 350 acres of plantain and onion farms reduced to ruin.

As tensions continue to rise, the farmers of Asante Akyem North are calling on the government and relevant authorities to intervene swiftly to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

The situation remains volatile, with the livelihoods of thousands hanging in the balance.

Nana Yaw Owusu/Ashanti Region.