Residents of Akwamu in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region have given the government a two-week ultimatum to address various pressing issues in their area.
Alleging neglect by successive governments, the residents took to the streets over the weekend to demonstrate.
Clad in red and black apparel, the residents, both young and old, chanted war songs as they marched from New Akrade to the Atimpoku roundabout.
Their protest aimed to highlight what they described as the neglect of Akwamu by successive governments.
Traditional leaders participated in the peaceful demonstration, dubbed “Walking for Attention.” They poured libation to invoke blessings on the exercise, which was heavily supervised by the Akosombo police command with support from the Odumase Division.
The demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as “VRA give employment to people of Akwamu,” “Stop the sale of Akwamu lands,” and “Akwamu deserve better.”
Emmanuel Ansah Amadi, the convenor, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the significance of the Akwamu area to the country.
He highlighted the community’s contributions, such as providing land for the Akosombo Dam and the Adome Bridge and expressed frustration over their perceived neglect.
Amadi stated that the Akwamu people seek fairness, respect, and recognition for their contributions to the nation’s progress. He lamented that despite 13 letters written to the government, there has been no response.
Lead convenor Dr. Nana Kwame Acheampong Kwakye raised concerns about the alleged renaming of the Tema Mpakadan Railway Station to Juapong Station. He vowed that the people of Akwamu would resist this move.
Kwakye called for the renaming of the railway station to reflect the true heritage of the land and urged broader recognition and respect for the Akwamu people’s contributions.
The group presented a petition of their grievances to the District Chief Executive for the area, Mavis Akonnor, who commended the peaceful nature of the demonstration.
She assured them that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for redress.
