Asene Farmers: Demand Accra-Kumasi Expressway Compensation

• Over 200 farmers in Akyem Asene are demanding compensation for farms destroyed by the Accra-Kumasi expressway construction.
• Their cocoa, food, and oil palm farms, their main livelihoods, were destroyed over eight months ago.
• Some farms, including those of over 20 farmers, have not been measured by surveyors to determine compensation.
• The Ghana Highway Authority confirmed unmeasured farms, attributing it to an expressway width increase from 120m to 150m.
• Farmers face severe economic hardship, with one reporting a GH¢40,000 annual income loss from his destroyed eight-acre cocoa farm.

The destruction of these farms has plunged many families into profound financial distress.

More than 200 farmers from Akyem Asene, situated near Oda in Ghana's Eastern Region, have publicly appealed to the government for adequate compensation. Their plea follows the destruction of their farms and plantations to facilitate the construction of the new Accra-Kumasi expressway. These agricultural lands, which included cocoa farms, food crop farms, and oil palm plantations, represented the primary source of income for these Asene farmers Accra-Kumasi expressway compensation claimants.

In a visible display of their distress, the affected farmers staged a demonstration, marching through the main streets of Asene before convening at the local durbar ground to address the media. Many participants adorned themselves with red cloth around their heads, necks, and arms, symbolizing their plight. Leaders of the affected group, including Kofi Koranteng Sarpong, Yaw Peprah, Da Costa Asamoah, and Yaw Ampomah Asiedu, articulated the severe economic hardships they have endured since their farms were destroyed over eight months prior.

A significant point of contention for the farmers is the Ghana Highway Authority compensation process, specifically the failure to measure all affected properties. Kofi Koranteng Sarpong, one of the farmer leaders, expressed serious concern that the farms of more than 20 individuals, including his own, had not been assessed by surveyors. This lack of measurement prevents the determination of the extent of damage and the appropriate compensation due to them.

When contacted regarding these claims, Samuel Tieku, who heads the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) survey team for the project, confirmed that some destroyed farms had indeed not yet undergone measurement. Tieku clarified that the original design for the Accra-Kumasi road compensation project specified a width of 120 meters for the expressway. However, this width was subsequently increased to 150 meters, a change that inadvertently impacted additional farmers and their properties, leading to further Akyem Asene farm destruction.

The destruction of these farms has plunged many families into profound financial distress. Farmers report significant difficulty in meeting their daily needs and are struggling to pay school fees for their children attending tertiary institutions. This economic strain underscores the critical role these agricultural endeavors played in sustaining their livelihoods.

Da Costa Asamoah provided a stark example of the personal impact, detailing his financial struggles since his eight-acre cocoa farm was destroyed in February 2026. Prior to its destruction, this cocoa farm had consistently generated an average annual income of approximately GH¢40,000. The loss of such a substantial income stream highlights the severe consequences of the land acquisition Ghana expressway project on individual farmers and their families, particularly concerning cocoa farm destruction compensation Ghana.

This situation involving the Asene farmers underscores critical challenges within Ghana's land acquisition framework for public infrastructure projects. The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), as the implementing agency, bears the responsibility for ensuring fair and timely compensation for properties acquired or impacted by development. The reported delays in measurement and payment, coupled with the expansion of the project's footprint, highlight potential systemic issues in how such large-scale projects manage their social and economic impacts on local communities.

The ongoing dispute serves as a crucial reminder of the need for transparent and efficient processes in land acquisition Ghana expressway projects. It emphasizes the importance of accurate initial assessments, clear communication with affected parties, and prompt disbursement of compensation to mitigate the severe economic disruption experienced by farmers whose livelihoods are directly tied to their land. Ensuring equitable outcomes is paramount for the success and social acceptance of national development initiatives.

Lawyers advising clients on land acquisition or property rights in Ghana should note the ongoing compensation disputes related to the Accra-Kumasi expressway, particularly concerning the Ghana Highway Authority's measurement processes and potential under-compensation for affected farmers. This case highlights the need for thorough due diligence and advocacy for fair valuation in public infrastructure projects.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com