The chiefs and the people of Adoagyeri, Ntoaso, Owureko and Akwamu in the Nsawam/Adoagyeri Municipality have said they were against leasing of their lands to Carriedem Development Company Limited, former Nsawam Cannery without their consent and gave the government two weeks to revert the transaction.

Speaking at a press conference Nana Akoanadwo Afutudompreh II, Chief of Adoagyeri and Ankobeahene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, said the aggrieved citizens were against giving their land to the company for 50 years.

He said apart from the 635.20 acres of land which had been leased out under Executive Instrument E131/77 by the government, another 135.54 acres of land covering the entire Ntoaso, Awureko and greater part of Adoagyeri has also been leased out to the same Company by the Eastern Regional Lands Commission on behalf of the government without the knowledge of the chiefs and the people of the towns.

Nana Akoanadwo Afutudompreh said according to the agreement covering the lease of the whole 770.79 acres, Carriedem paid a compensation of only Gh¢5.00 per acre per a year which brings the annual total compensation to Gh¢3, 850.00 for 50 years.

Mr Anoh Dompreh, the Member of Parliament for Nsawam- Adoagyeri, said he had raised the concern of the people with the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources and now the people are giving the Lands Commission two weeks to resolve the issue or they would advise themselves.

He said the people have many houses and farms on the land and therefore could not look on for their investments to be destroyed.