Thousands of artisans at the Suame Magazine Zone 13 in the Ashanti Region are facing imminent eviction by a private developer, ‘The Gosie Group’, which claims ownership of portions of the industrial hub.
These artisans, who have operated in the area for decades, are now seeking urgent intervention from Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia to prevent their displacement.
They argue that the land they occupy is protected by Executive Instrument (E.I. 36), meaning any attempt to evict them would require an amendment to this instrument in Parliament.
But a recent court verdict, prompted by a case from the Gosie Group claiming ownership of the land, has sparked tensions in the enclave.
Since settling in the area in 1989, the artisans say the fear their entire livelihoods will be under siege if they are forced to vacate the premises.
“I plead with Nana Addo and Bawumia to honour their promises. They pledged to support us, but they have forgotten about the promises they made to us. For us, the illiterate, they don’t regard us anymore. They should provide us with employment opportunities and put a stop to the digitalisation conversation because it does not include us. If Bawumia wants to win the 2024 elections, he must help us, or we vote against him,” said one artisan.
The artisans are seeking the intervention of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to step in to avert what could become a humanitarian and economic crisis at the enclave.
“We are urging the authorities to intervene so we can continue our work,” said Eric Arhin, chairman of Suame Magazine Zone 13.
Kwabena Nsenkyire, a spare parts dealer and a New Patriotic Party (NPP) member visited the area to calm tempers and assured the artisans that the government was working on a solution.
“I have also been a victim. Since the matter has been to the court, I do not want to go further. My wish is that the vice president himself will intervene and he will come down here and meet the people here. Because wherever he has been, he always meets the artisans, talk to them to see their grievances.”
Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Ashanti Region
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