Landowners Renew Threat To Block Apedwa/Kumasi Road

Angry land Owners whose properties were destroyed to pave way for the construction of the Accra to Kumasi Highway at Kwafokrom-Apedwa has renewed their threat to block the highway to demand for unpaid compensation. �We feel cheated, betrayed, and deceived by government officials...we are therefore serving notice to use legal and other legitimate means to ensure that we are paid by Wednesday, May 15,� Mr Kwabena Owusu Dome, Leader of the group told the Ghana News Agency in Accra. Mr Owusu Dome, who is also the Managing Director of Kasapa Sawmill at Okorase-Suhum said government officials as well as the Ministry of Finance, has reneged on the payment terms. �As long as government continues to delay in the payment of our monies we will continue to resort to peaceful strives since all the avenues to seek redress on this matter seem closed,� he said. A copy of Interim Payment Certificate signed on November 21, 2012 by Mr A. T. Essifie Chief Director at the Ministry of Roads and Highways affirmed that government owes the land owners GH�23,114,440.50. The Interim Payment Certificate was issued to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, which also acknowledged receipt on November 23, 2012. Mr Owusu Dome, said the decision to embark on a mass action, and other legitimate means to demand for the payment of the money is a result of frustrations and hassles they have encountered over the period �in trying to ensure that what is rightfully and legally due us is paid without further delay�. The group threatened to barricade a strategic joint on the road to press home their demand. �We are ready to resist any security forces that will be deployed to the area...we are ready to engage them until our demands are met. Our demand is for Government to pay us our compensation,� the leader of the group. Mr Owusu Dome said: �For the past five years we have been denied our sources of livelihood, a situation that has led to the death of eight of our colleagues. �Others too have had their houses and other landed properties confiscated by Banks they owe...We can no longer endure these embarrassment. We will fight for our birth rights.� He explained that various state bodies including the National Security, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ministry of Finance, Ghana Highway Authority have at different stage promise to intervene for the payment.