Regional News of Tuesday, 5 August 2003

Source: GNA

Aged farmer appeals to IGP for help

Kyereyaase (Ash), Aug. 5, GNA - A 75-year-old farmer of Kyereyaase, near Nyinahin in the Atwima District, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate circumstances leading to the total destruction of her cocoa farm by fire.

Madam Badu the victim, who narrated her story to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) amid sobbing, said she shared a common boundary with one Kennedy Agyemang, a transport owner in the village.

According to her, Agyemang fell a big tree into her cocoa farm, resulting in the destruction of some of the cocoa trees. Madam Badu said Agueman ignored her when she approached him to find out how best to resolve the issue over the destruction of her cocoa trees.

She further alleged that Agyeman later set fire along the boundary between her farm and his plot with used lorry tyres. The fire, she said, swept through her farm, destroying it completely.

According to Madam Badu, she made a formal report to the Nyinahin police to arrest Agyemang but to no avail.

She has therefore, called for "thorough" investigations into the case and for her to be paid appropriate compensation before she died prematurely of grief.

Efforts to get the Nyinahin District Police Commander for his side of the story proved futile as he was said to have travelled out of town.