TEMA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL CALLS FOR SUSPENSION OF PROJECT (PAGE 18, SEPT 25, 2010)

The Tema Traditional Council (TTC) has appealed to the government to suspend all activities concerning the construction of a proposed oil refining project at the canoe beach of the Tema Fishing Harbour until concerns about sustainable livelihood for the fishermen is resolved.
They claimed that WILMAR, the oil company’s decision to commence the project was made unilaterally by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority without the consent of the people of Tema .
The council raised these concerns in a press release statement issued and signed by the Mankralo, Nii Adjetey Agbo; Shippi Nii Armah Somponu, Ashaiman Chief Fisherman; Nii Adjierteh Mattor, Awudum Chief Fisherman; Nii Odamatey, Ashaman Akawshongtse; Nii Tetteh Tsru Orkoor and Nii Adjei Kwame Awudum Akwashongtse .
The statement said the parcel of land in question had been used exclusively by the fishermen since 1959 when the people of Tema were resettled.
It claimed that the land is a replacement for the landing beaches of the people at the old Tema, in accordance with clauses 26 and 27 of the terms of resettlement when government acquired their land for the construction of the harbour .
The statement further indicated that the Acquisition Act merely gave the GPHA administrative and managerial oversight of the land and “not absolute ownership of the canoe beach” as such the authourity could not arbitrarily give the land away without the consent of the people .
The chiefs denied reaching any terms with the WILMAR Consultant, Mr Alex Asiedu, and added that they had not concluded any agreement with the laison committee of the council .
The chiefs explained that the traditional council was surprised and disappointed that the GPHA negotiated and approved terms and conditions of the said land with WILMAR long before they had any discussions with them .
The statement noted that the leasing of the land which had been used by the fisher folk for the past 52 years without their consent generated resistance from the fisher folk and other citizens .
Despite recognising the existence of a 17-member committee which was discussing the said project with the GPHA and WILMAR, the chiefs called for the suspension of the project to enable the committee finish its work and submit the report to ensure fruitful discussions on the matter .