Story: Della Russel Ocloo, Tema
THE Chief and people of Appolonia, a farming community in the Tema Metropolitan Assembly has in a sharp rebuttal denied assertions that illegal sand wining activities has rendered the community’s lands infertile for farming activities.
Speaking at counter press conference on allegations by the kingmakers on their involvement in the activities, Secretary of the Appolonia Youth Development Association, Mr Joseph Tettey described the allegations as fabrications, mischievous and ill-motivated pieces which were carefully calculated to dent the hard-earned reputation of the chief, Nii Tei Adumuah II, Member of Parliament, Nii Laryea Afortey Agbo and the Assemblyman for the area, Mr Timothy Tetteh Mensah.
According to the youth, Mr Divine Ablade Dortey, who described himself as the secretary to the kingmakers of the community was using the current situation to pursue his personal agenda.
Mr Tettey indicated that Mr Dortey, contrary to customs and usages of the land created the said position, which he referred to as the office of kingmakers and made himself secretary, although he was aware the community has only one stool secretary, in the person of Elisha Dortey who happens to be his grandfather.
Continuing, he said, Mr Dortey in his quest to malign the leaders of the community failed to inform the general public as well as the pressmen he took to the side, that he had previously prepared survey plans of the said lands to the Minerals Commission where he put in an application for a permit to win sand without any recourse to the chiefs and elders of the community.
“In January 2009, Mr Dortey illegally hired surveyor who prepare a site plan for 10.48 acres of land in his name for the purposes of sand winning, of which a caveat was later issued by the chief when the matter was brought to his knowledge, Mr Tettey said.
He also claimed that Mr Dortey and the three family heads had over the years disregard a court orders which debars the chief and his elders from carrying out any activity on the community’s stool lands.
He charged Mr Dortey to stop the misrepresentation of the true nature and import of the court ruling for his own egocentric purposes, adding that the court stated that the Chief must before alienating any of Appolonia stool lands secure the consent of the three ruling clans of Appolonia that went to court on that matter, namely; Bediako We, Kojo We and Sanchie We.
Mr Tettey alluded that, concerns were raised by the leadership of the community of indiscriminate wining of sands across the farmlands by the youth of which the leaders raised various concerns resulting in a series of meetings among the youth front.
“After a series of meetings with representatives from the three ruling clans, it was decided that the youth should move to a pit which was legally obtained from the Minerals Commission and was being operated by a contractor in the traditional council’s quest to create jobs for the youth’, he indicated.
“It is on record that Divine Dortey has over the years tried to torpedo these peace meetings but sanity prevailed among the leaders of the Bediako We clan and the people of Appolonia.
Mr Tettey on behalf of the youth expressed confidence in the chief, the MP and the Assemblyman, adding “We want Appolonia to be an example of modern community where all will live in peace and harmonious development”.
He assured the general public especially the business community that Appolonia is peaceful and residents would not hesitate welcome investors who may want to transact business in the community.
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