Bunso, (E/R) Nov.5, GNA - The East Akyem District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Victor Asihene, has asked the people of Bunso to stay away from the Bunso Cocoa College land until the issue of transfer of the expired lease had been settled. He emphasized that any activity on the said land by the people constituted a breach of peace in the area since the transfer had not yet been executed. The DCE gave the advice at Bunso during the inauguration of a renovated Bunso Police station on Friday.

Giving the background of the land, Mr, Asihene said the Bunso Cocoa College land was leased to the government by the Okyeman in 1909, which term of lease expired in 2004. He said the expiry, therefore, meant that the land could be reverted to the original owners who were the Okyeman and discussions were underway to that effect.

Mr Asihene, however, noted with concern that the people of Bunso, being aware of the expiry of the lease, had started farming and felling trees on the land without recourse to the authorities of the College. The DCE reminded them that the Okyehene was holding discussions with the government on the possibility of using the College to establish an Agricultural and Environmental University when the land had been officially reverted to the Okyeman, hence the need for the people to stay away from the lands. He noted that until that formal handing over had been done, "nobody could act on behalf of the Okyehene in that lawless manner to claim the land from the government, because the Okyehene himself is against indiscipline", he told them.

Mr Asihene reminded them that the police station was there to check lawlessness and anybody caught in the act that constituted breach of peace in the area would be dealt with.

In a speech read on behalf of the Eastern Regional Police Commander, ACP R.E Kwakye, by the Deputy Commander, ACP K. Boateng, he urged the citizens to volunteer vital information that would help clamp down on criminal activities to the police. He said the people of Bunso, particularly the Cocoa College, had experienced a series of armed robberies in the first half of the year and assured that the Police personnel would be further strengthened with new building to deal with the rising trend of armed robberies and other crimes in the area.

ACP Kwakye noted that the relocation of the police station was a result of the "life threatening building" which was infested with mice and snakes to one that met police standards and asked the station officer to take good care of the property to stand the test of time. He commended the College and the East Akyem District Assembly for their collaboration in renovating the building for the use of the police to combat crime in the area. In his welcome address, the Principal of the Bunso Cocoa College, Mr George Asante, appealed to the Regional Commander to station eight policemen permanently at the station to reduce the financial burden of the college in employing a task force. He assured the police administration of their continued support and thanked them for the swift responses to their calls in times of distress.