Artisans operating on a parcel of land near the Cocoa Processing Company Limited in Tema have staged a protest over an alleged land sale and what they describe as attempts to evict them without prior notice.
The artisans say they have occupied the site for approximately 26 years, using it as a workplace and a source of livelihood. They fear losing their businesses if the dispute is not resolved.
Speaking during the protest on Tuesday, October 13, lead convenor Emmanuel Abdul-Salam said the matter had been taken to court and appealed to government authorities to intervene.
He alleged that the land had been sold to an individual identified as Francis Ayiku, who subsequently brought Chinese nationals to the site as part of plans that could result in the artisans being displaced.
“These are mechanics who have been here for over 26 years. It was a valley and they filled it with laterite and gravel,” Abdul-Salam said, arguing that the artisans had invested years of work in making the site suitable for their activities.
He called on the Tema Development Corporation (TDC), which he identified as the relevant government agency, to support the artisans rather than allow them to lose their working space.
Abdul-Salam proposed that the land be developed into a dedicated automotive and artisanal hub, where mechanics and other specialists could operate from a common location.
He said such a facility could create jobs, support local businesses and provide motorists with access to vehicle repair services without travelling to established centres such as Abossey Okai.
The artisans are urging the government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged sale and help secure a fair resolution to the dispute.
