Over 6,000 artisans at Suame Magazine face eviction following court order
“This land is covered by an Executive Instrument (E.I. 36). So, if they want to evict us from here, they have to amend that instrument in parliament. We are heading towards a crisis because when we are evicted livelihoods would be under siege”,
A court ruling ordering the eviction of more than 6,000 Suame Magazine artisans operating at the Zone 13 enclave has sparked growing agitation among affected workers.
Wednesday’s verdict comes after a case filed by the Gosie Group, who claim ownership of the land acquired from the lands commission.
The artisans, occupying the land since 1989, were represented by counsel Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, who expressed respect for the court’s decision but hinted at exploring various options.
“The court has given its judgment in favour of the plaintiff to recover the land. As a lawyer when the court speaks you have no option but to respect its decision, but various processes are available to us we are of the view that we have a very strong case that has to be determined on its merit, and we will advise ourselves accordingly and study the judgment and see the way forward”, the lawyer said.
“The fate of my clients is that hope is not lost yet”, he added.
Former Zone 13 chairman, Akwasi Kwakye, maintains that the land rightfully belongs to the artisans. He fears the development could affect livelihoods.
“This land is covered by an Executive Instrument (E.I. 36). So, if they want to evict us from here, they have to amend that instrument in parliament. We are heading towards a crisis because when we are evicted livelihoods would be under siege”, Kwakye said as he gave a brief history of the 151.8 acre land.
Source:dailymailgh
