More than 200 farmers in Akyem Asene in the Eastern Region are appealing to the government for timely compensation following the destruction of their farms for the construction of the Accra–Kumasi Expressway.
The affected farms include cocoa plantations, food-crop farms and oil-palm plantations, which the farmers say were their main sources of livelihood.
The farmers say the loss of their farms has plunged them into financial difficulties, affecting their ability to meet household expenses and pay their children’s school fees.
One of the affected farmers, Da Costa Asamoah, said he had been struggling financially since his eight-acre cocoa farm was destroyed in February 2026. He reportedly earned about GH¢40,000 annually from the farm.
Another farmer, Kofi Koranteng Sarpong, expressed concern that the farms of more than 20 affected farmers had not been measured to determine their losses and the compensation due to them.
Samuel Tieku, head of the Ghana Highway Authority survey team for the project, acknowledged that some farms had not been measured.
He explained that the planned width of the expressway had increased from 120 metres to 150 metres, affecting additional farmers.
He assured the farmers that their concerns would be communicated to the relevant authorities for assessment.
The Benkumhene of Asene, Nana Ntiamoah Nyarko, has also appealed to the government to expedite compensation payments to ease the farmers’ financial hardship.
