Eguafo Youth Rise: “End Land Dispute Now, Save Our Jobs”

Concerned youth in Eguafo in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region are calling for urgent action to resolve a protracted land dispute that has stalled a major industrial park project. Gathering at the disputed site, dozens of residents appealed to the Member of Parliament, Samuel Atta Mills, and the Municipal Assembly to intervene and help restore development in the area. The youth also urged all parties involved—including local opinion leaders—to pursue an out-of-court settlement, warning that the prolonged dispute is eroding investor confidence and deepening unemployment. At the center of the issue is a two-year legal battle between Victor Paa Kwesi Mensah and Kofi Ntoboah, along with an unnamed developer. The conflict has brought construction on a 10-acre industrial park to a standstill. The site, located opposite Eguafo Senior High School, was once a hub of activity but now lies abandoned, with building materials exposed to theft following a court injunction. Speaking at a press conference, community spokesperson Emmanuel Quainoo stressed the need for an amicable resolution. He noted that the stalled furniture factory within the industrial park was expected to produce thousands of desks and chairs for schools across the municipality. He added that the project had already created jobs for local artisans and promised broader opportunities, including skills training for women in woodworking and assembly, as well as apprenticeships for school dropouts. According to him, the industrial park would have also boosted small businesses such as food vending and transport services, helping to improve household incomes and reduce youth migration to urban areas. Another resident, Stephen Appiah Nti, a 28-year-old former foreman, shared his frustration after losing his job when the project halted. He described the situation as devastating, saying it felt like “a feast prepared for the whole village, only for greedy hands to destroy it before anyone could eat.” Similarly, trader Maame Akosua recounted how her once-thriving sachet water business collapsed after workers left the site, forcing her to resort to hawking. Residents say a swift resolution is critical to reviving the project, restoring jobs, and reigniting hope in the community.