Chiefs and the people of Akim Bieni and Ayinam, a farming community of Akyem Akyease, in the Birim South District of the Eastern region have staged a protest against Ghana Cocoa Board (GCB) for taking 70% of their farmlands without compensation.
According to them, the Cocobod has used their lands for the past 64 years for the nursing of cocoa seedlings to supply cocoa farmers across the country without paying them the dividends they deserve.
Chief of Akyem Ayinam Nana Tiefo Amisare III, in an interview with Adom News said since the site of Akim Bieni Cocoa experimental station was acquired in 1950, no compensation has been paid to the chiefs and elders of Akim Bieni who are the custodians of the land.
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He noted that, the community has never benefited from fund set aside by Cocoa board to rehabilitate roads leading to cocoa producing areas.
They therefore appealed to President, Akufo-Addo to come to their aid and revive Akyem Bieni Cocoa Experimental station to employ the youth in the area.
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Also, some aggrieved youth told Adom News expressed disappointment in those who gave the land to Cocobod for free.
They said none of them has benefitted from the cocoa scholarships promised them by government.
The youth therefore appealed to the government to immediately come to their aid.