By: Apiah-Kubi | ignewss – Nkoranza
Auto mechanics in Nkoranza in the Bono East Region have staged a demonstration over what they describe as the illegal sale and encroachment of land allocated to them for their operations.
The protest, held on Saturday, November 7, brought together hundreds of mechanics, including master craftsmen and apprentices, who wore red clothing and marched through parts of the town to demand action over the alleged loss of their working space.
The mechanics, popularly known as magazine workers, say the land was allocated to them about 21 years ago by the late Okatakyie Agyemang Kodom to provide a designated area for their operations and address the practice of roadside repairs.
However, they allege that developers are gradually taking over the site, with some of the encroachment attributed to the Asaaman hene of the Nkoranza Traditional Council.
Led by the chairman of the Nkoranza Auto Mechanics Association, Rashid Tahidu, popularly known as Cedi, the protesters chanted slogans and waved sticks as they expressed frustration over what they described as repeated attempts to sell portions of the land.
According to the association, the original site covered 31 plots, but 16 plots have allegedly been taken over or allocated to other parties.
Mr Tahidu said the mechanics had initially agreed to allocate six plots to the Nana Asaamanhemaa and the Asaamanhene but later discovered that additional portions had been allocated.
“We agreed to allocate six plots of land to Nana Asaamanhemaa and Asaamanhene but later saw that Asaamanhene is allocating 10 plots, making it 16 plots from our land, which is unacceptable,” he said.
The association says the encroachment has left some mechanics without designated spaces to operate, with implications for their livelihoods and the security situation in the municipality.
Mr Tahidu said attempts by the association’s leadership to engage the traditional authorities had not yielded the desired results.
He added that efforts to reach the Asaamanhene for his response to the allegations were unsuccessful.
The mechanics have appealed to the Nkoranza Omanhene, Nana Kwame Baffoe IV, to intervene and help resolve the dispute.
They also warned against further development or occupation of the disputed land without their consent, saying they would resist any such attempts.
SOURCE: www.ignewss.com