The wanton sale of government irrigation lands at Tuba in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra by some individuals including politicians, government officials, settlers, land guards and surveyors is gradually brewing tension in the area.
The lands which belong to the Ghana Irrigation Project Development Authority (GIPD) under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), are being sold out indiscriminately without the knowledge of the central government, a move which has raised a lot of eye brows.
To this end, some concerned farmers of GIPD at a press conference in Tuba near Kokrobitey in Accra over the weekend noted that the over 225 hectares state lands meant for offices and quarters for the project should not be sold to any individual or organisation.
The group cautioned unsuspecting members of the public who intend to buy portions of the Weija Irrigation Development lands at Tuba to rescind their decision since they were state lands.
They noted that anyone who attempts to acquire any portion of the land should be clear in mind that he/she has bought a stolen land which could lead to legal consequences.
They explained that the lands at the southern part of the project site which were at the moment lying fallow were in that state because the canal through which irrigation water would pass to the area to water the vegetables was choked with sand.
This, they explained, was caused by erosion following the environmental degradation of the mountain at Tuba opposite Machigeni and Weija Lake near the Kasoa toll booth, during heavy rains.
“Land guards and their pay masters should therefore not take advantage of the unfortunate situation to sell out the farmlands at the catchment area indiscriminately.
Currently, MOFA and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of UN have teamed up to put special pipes into the canal to avoid choking whenever it rains so that water can be transported to all farm sites for farming activities, they noted.
The farmers further appealed to the agriculture minister to intervene and halt the practice with immediate effect.
They also seized the opportunity to congratulate the minister and expressed the hope that he will perform creditably to promote vegetable production in the country.
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