Peasant farmers at Apremdo in the Sekondi Tarkoradi metropolis and cocoa farmers in Juaboso in the Juaboso District all in the Western Region have collided with the military authorities in the region.

Whilst the cocoa farmers at Juabeso are complaining about military harassment, peasant farmers at Apremdo, on the other hand, are protesting against the decision by the military personnel from the 2nd Battalion of Infantry (2BN) to stop them from going to their farms.

Information reaching  the Chronicle indicated that the military command had written a letter to the peasant farmers, whose farms are close to the camp, to stay away for a month  to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

The military claim they are conducting special exercise which would involve the firing of live ammunition.

The farmers have however rejected the call, insisting that they cannot stay away from their farms for one solid month, since they depend on their farming activities for survival.

That apart, the notice sent by the Military Command directing them to stay away from their farms, did not reach them early enough.

They claim the letter reached them on Saturday September 26, 2009.

They are contending that the military command should have given them enough time to prepare and not the short notice, because some of their produce are perishable.

The farmers have called on their Chief Nana Egya Kwamina XI, to speak to  the military command to reverse its decision.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) Hon. Paul Evans Aidoo who is also the Regional Minister has appealed to the farmers to comply with the directive

According to him, the exercise to be carried out by the military was a routine one and the farmers should understand that.
In a related development there could be a possible clash between cocoa farmers at Juabeso Nkwanta and some soldiers gurding the Krukuso Forest over what the former claim to be military harrassment.

The farmers have vowed not to sit unconcerned for the soldiers to harass them and have therefore appealed to the government to intervene to avoid a possible clash between them (farmers) and the military.

Some of the farmers who spoke to Chronicle claimed they were being prevented from visiting their farms by the soldiers.

A 22 year old farmer, Mr Larbi recounted how soldiers assaulted him and tied his hand to his neck without reason.

They also accused the soldiers of destroying their farms on the suspicion that they had encroached on the forest reserve.

The District Chief Executive DCE for Juabeso, Hon Solomon Fuakye reacting to the concerns raised by the farmers gave the assurance that steps would be taken to address the concerns of  the farmers.

source:Chronicle

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