The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has initiated steps to resolve the protracted conflict between farmers in Agogo and the Forestry Commission over access to farmlands in the Asante Akyem North Municipality.
The dispute, which has persisted for years, stems from allegations by farmers that portions of their cultivated lands have been taken over and reassigned to private developers under the authority of the Forestry Commission — a situation they say is threatening livelihoods and local food security.
Speaking to journalists in Agogo on Sunday, October 5, after cutting sod for the construction of a tomato processing factory, Mr. Opoku announced the formation of a committee to engage all relevant stakeholders and propose a lasting resolution.
He said the new committee will work in close coordination with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to address the grievances raised by the affected farmers and to ensure a fair and sustainable outcome.
“In the meantime, I have set up a committee to engage with the Forestry Commission to determine the best way to resolve this matter,” Mr. Opoku stated.
Mr. Opoku assured that his ministry will continue to dialogue with the Lands Ministry to ensure the farmers’ concerns are addressed while safeguarding the nation’s forest resources.
He expressed optimism that the renewed engagement would finally bring closure to the long-standing tension between the two parties and help restore trust within the local agricultural sector.
