Managers of Savannah plantations threatens faceoff with military

Managers of Savannah plantations have threatened to faceoff with the military over the ownership of a parcel of land at Tudrupe-Daboya in the Northern region.

The workers said the land was given to them by the chiefs of the area but the military are claiming ownership.

They accused the Military Commander of 6 BN in Tamale of destroying the plantation last month.

According to them, he has threatened to destroy life and property, if they do not leave the land.

But Executive Director, Issah Sulemana, speaking in an interview with Joy News, said they are ready for a face-off with the military to claim their land.

“They have destroyed all the mango farm on the 141 acres, all the six-bedroom that we put up have been destroyed the only thing is that no one put up resistance and that is why lives were saved that day,” he alleged.

He however warned that “this time people have vowed that when they come back they will move from the town and the community and come and defend the land because the land is not for the military it is for the community.”

According to Issah Sulemana, a report from the Lands Commission shows the said land is not part of the military land and wondered why they will use force to take the land.

“Because they think that we are just village people we are illiterates, we are helpless they can use arms and come and terrorize us and take our land by force,” he said.

Meanwhile Director of Public Affairs at the Military High Command, Colonel Mbawine Atintande refuted the allegations and urged an amicable settlement of the matter between the two parties.

“You don't go fighting the military,” he warned, urging there are several means including the Assemblies, the Regional Security Council and the Courts, to channel one's concerns.

“We should all cooperate and collaborate with each other so that we have a peaceful environment,” he urged.