Tension gripped Teacher Mante, a farming community in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region, as angry residents took to the streets to protest against the purported sale of a section of the public cemetery to a developer.
The graded portion of the cemetery, reportedly done without community awareness, ignited outrage among residents, prompting the youth to express their strong opposition to any project on the contested grounds.
In a second protest within a week, demonstrators escalated their dissent by storming the cemetery and the chief’s palace to demand answers.
Baamuhene Nana Oheneaku Asamaning, leading the demonstrators, asserted his traditional responsibility overseeing the cemetery and claimed no knowledge of the transaction on the sale of the cemetery.
However, Chief of Teacher Mante, Barima Okofo Gyekye Mante vehemently denied the accusations, stating that he had not sanctioned any sale of the public cemetery.
He clarified that only the front of the cemetery had been allocated for a temporary container shop, emphasizing that it was not a sale.
Barima Okofo Gyekye Mante issued a stern warning to the demonstrators, urging them not to tarnish the reputation of Okyenhene adding he has no hand in land issues in the community.
He urged the community members to help him raise funds to fence the cemetery to protect it against intrusion.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah