A/R: Sokoban wood workers threaten to halt market toll payments over unlawful land takeover

The woodworkers at the Sokoban Wood Village in Kumasi of the Ashanti Region have threatened to stop paying market tolls to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) if their concerns over an alleged unlawful takeover of their lands are not addressed.

The workers, who operate various businesses in the wood village, are demanding swift action from KMA to resolve the issue.

According to the workers, portions of land within the village have been unlawfully taken over by private developers, leaving them with limited space to conduct their operations.

They accuse KMA of failing to protect the land meant for their use and are warning of serious consequences if the situation continues.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, the Chairman of the Sokoban Wood Workers Association, Mr. Kwame Frimpong, expressed frustration over the lack of action by the authorities.

He stated that despite several appeals and petitions, KMA has not taken any concrete steps to stop the encroachment or address their concerns.

“If KMA fails to intervene and protect our lands, we will have no option but to stop paying the tolls and fees we regularly contribute to the Assembly.

We cannot continue to pay while our businesses are under threat,” Mr. Frimpong said.

The woodworkers have called on the city authorities to take immediate steps to investigate and reclaim the encroached lands.

They warn that their livelihoods are at stake and that failure to act could lead to job losses and the collapse of businesses in the wood village.

The Sokoban Wood Village is a key centre for wood processing and carpentry in the Ashanti Region, and any disruption to its operations could have far-reaching consequences for the local economy, he said.

The workers are urging KMA to prioritize their concerns and take urgent measures to secure their lands to ensure the continued operation of the wood village.

Source:classfmonline.com