The chiefs and indigenes of Anum and Adjena-Tafoman, two farming communities in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region, have cautioned those seeking to distort the truth regarding the boundaries of Anum and Adjena to put a stop to it.
According to the chiefs of the two communities, many people have tried to disturb the peace that exists between Anum and Adjena-Tafoman people by undermining the boundary demarcation between the two communities.
They argued that the two communities have lived peacefully for over 300 years and that there has never been a single blip between them.
Addressing a news conference at Anum last week Thursday, the Adontenhene of the Anum Traditional Area, Okogyeaman Kwasi Anyane V recounted the beginning of the existence of the boundaries between the two sides and expressed his indignation that people were realigning the boundaries by encroaching on the lands.
“This boundary has been in existence for 300 years now, but what we’ve realised is that people are encroaching on it so we want to make it clear that from today onwards, anybody that we find on the land, we will question you because we have a boundary with Adjena, nobody else apart from Adjena,” he stressed.
He mentioned that in 2019, a special exercise was carried out by Anum and Adjena, which allowed these two communities to reaffirm their love and trust in each other and was extremely peaceful.
The Adontenhene, who doubles as the Acting President of Anum Traditional Council, stated that usually communities that live close to each other find it extremely difficult to agree on a common boundary.
However, he pointed out that the case of Anum and Adjena is a different story, as the two farming communities, as part of the press conference out-doored a joint declaration of their common boundary to the public.
They added that Adjena and Anum do not share boundaries with Akwamu, Anyansu or Domeabra, “nor have we instructed anyone from Akwamu to mediate on our land issues.”
Nananom indicated that some groups of people, companies and individuals who have enchroached on their lands were redefining the boundaries between Adjena and Anum, adding that “all those who pay monies or deal with anybody from Akwamu on Adjena and Anum land issues, do so at his/her own risk.
“Let it be known that all those who have been incited to give false boundaries claim will face the repercussions of the laws of Ghana.”
These actions of the encroachers are undermining the peace and unity currently being enjoyed between the two sides.
The traditional leaders, therefore, cautioned encroachers and potential intruders to desist from any form of intrusion into the boundaries of Adjena and Anum since they (encroachers and potential intruders) would be crushed with the law”.
The Adontenhene of the Anum Traditional Area Okogyeaman Kwasi Anyane V urged investors to contact the appropriate authorities before establishing businesses in the area to avoid any future litigations.
Giving a brief history of the two communities one after the other, Nana Twum Barimah III, Adjenahene and Nana Ayimedu Brempong III, Krontihene of Adjena-Tafoman indicated that Adjena-Tafoman are the indigenous people in the Asuogyaman District.
They added that the Adjena Tafoman’s settlement stems from time immemorial before the other settlers arrived, which include Gyakity in 1720, Anum in 1718 & 1723, Akwamus in 1733 and the Krobos in 1880.
The Krobos first settled on the Okuenya Hills, but in 1892 they were evicted from the Hills by the Colonial Administration, led by Sir Gordon Guggisberg (governor of the Gold Coast).
According to the two chiefs, none of these ethnic groups fought wars with the people of Adjena and as a result, Adjena gave out some hectares of its lands to them as a show of brotherliness.
Eventually, Adjena-Tafoman became a division of the Akwamu Traditional Council.
Therefore, the people of Adjena are neither a colony, a province or settlers to the Akwamus, but an autonomous people and must be treated as such.
They said, Tafoman has always had a very good relationship with Akwamu, but anytime an Omanhene from Aboabo (Botwe family) mounts the Akwamu stool, he tries to “take our Land just as we see today.
Indeed, Tafoman retained ownership of its Lands and continues to exercise control over its lands.”
To them, the Supreme Authority of Adjena-Tafoman are from the Oyoko Clan, this Supreme authority is made up of Adjenahene, the Overlord of Tafo Kingdom, Krontihene and Mankrado of Adjena, Ohemea and Abusuapanyin, in order of Superiority.
Tafoman shares boundaries on the North bank of the Volta Lake at Asikuma Mframano with Anum, on the West with Ateprefo, now known as Gyakiti at Nkwankoasu, stretching through Ponwponw old stream to Otokpolu, and on the South with Kotropei and on the East with Aboabo Stool.
They mentioned that some faceless people have tried to demarcate their boundary with Gyakity, something that was affirmed on July 6, 2020 letter written by Gyakitihene to Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III and in May 17, 2021 by the slaughtering of a ram in the palace of the Gyakihene by Adjena and Gyakiti.
He further explained that the Bekai Family Land, which lies between Adjena and Akwamufie was gifted to the Bekai Family by Adjena-Tafoman and this still recognises them as their brothers because they are all from the Oyoko clan.
“Indeed, this also serves as a buffer between Tafoman and Akwamufie. As a result of this, Tafoman and Akwamufie share no boundaries at all.
“The original site of the Akosombo Dam was right in the middle of Adjena Township, but was later moved to the periphery, its present site at Akosombo, which is also on Adjena Tafoman lands, due to its economic potential.
The original Adjena town has been submerged under Volta Lake,” he noted.
He said bulk land for the Akosombo Dam Project in and around Akosombo is located on Adjena-Tafoman’s land.
“These lands were compulsorily acquired by the state for the project in 1961. These include the dam site, the Akosombo Township, the existing Akosombo Port, the Mpakadan resettlement village and the Adjena resettlement village.
Sad to say though, to this day and age Adjena-Tafoman has not been compensated for these compulsory acquisitions nor has royalty been paid.
“It is also important to note that the present Kyeiase Land, opposite the Akosombo Police Station, was gifted to Obaapanin Akua Asabea from the Ansah Prem Family of Akwamufie for an act of kindness which saved the life of the then Adjenahene, Nana Twum Barima I. Adjena-Tafoman has not granted any authority or whatsoever to any persons or group to lease or grant permission to investors on their behalf.”
He said they have been reliably informed that some persons who are squatting on Adjena Tafoman lands are making some contributions to some chiefs within Akwamu Traditional Area, in order to be granted renewal of their so-called expired lease.
“The superior authority of Adjena-Tafoman wants to state that Nananom have not authorised any person or group to take such an irresponsible course.
The superior Authority of Adjena Kyei Boadu Akofena Stool has constituted a Land Management Board, which oversees the Acquisition, Demarcation and Management of its Lands.
“Anyone who does not have the exclusive seal of the board in the matter of lands will have himself to blame. This goes to all individuals, investors, Volta River Authority, Asuogyaman District Assembly, Akwamu Traditional Area and the world at large.
“It is also important to note that Akosombo Osukwao, New Combine, Mataheko, Pupuni, Kokono, Dortibo, popularly known as Tortibo, Adjena-Dornno, Wawase, Sapow, Boaheneso (Yeniama), Sedom, Mpakadan, Korankye, Agyabon (KotokuAkuraa) are all part of Adjena-Tafoman’s lands.”
