Nzema Youth and Concerned Citizens of Nzema in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region have demonstrated through the principal streets of Ellembelle to register their dissatisfaction over the lack of development in the area.

Through a peaceful demonstration in demanding answers from leaders in line with Nzema community being neglected from development, despite Nzemaland being Economic Powerhouse of Ghana’s Energy Mix.

Hundreds of Nzema Youth marched through the principal streets of Nkroful and Essiama to demand answers from authorities why they have been neglected with developmental projects in the area.

They explained that Nzemaland is the main provider to Ghana’s energy sector do not understand why they have been denied their own share of the national cake.

And stressed that, for some time now Nzema District remains among the poorest and undeveloped districts irrespective of many resources and wealth that emanate from the district.

Speaking to Atinka Media Village reporter, Benjamin Bray, the youth said the Oil and Gas at their disposal have not reflected on the lives of people as the Nzema community is fortunate to be the economic powerhouse of Ghana’s energy mix.

They added that employment, scholarships for needy but brilliant students, health facilities, good roads, school infrastructures among others have been stagnant to the inhabitants of the Nzema community.

The Nzema Youth and Concerned Citizens of Nzema expressed their dissatisfaction through a petition to invoke the powers of leaders to prioritize the development of Nzemaland.

 

They are therefore calling on the government and all establishment who wishes to do business in Nzemaland to discuss with the allodial owner of Nzemaland “Tumivole Kaku Ackah III and other chiefs” for negotiations that will benefit the inhabitants.

Furthermore, the concerns raised by the Nzema Youth according to that needs to be addressed includes Oil and Gas and Associated Petrochemical Industry, Seaweed engulfing the cost of Nzemaland, Petroleum Hub, Galamsey, Coconut Plantation for Planting for Food and Jobs Initiative, Ninety Percent of Unemployment Among Nzema Youth, An Over-Lord for the Nzemaland, and Missing $15Million Oil Cash.

A legal practitioner who is an indigene from the Nzemaland, Lawyer Yaw Amakye Frimpong indicated that the activities of the exploration of the oil underneath the sea have disturbed the nature and quality of the sea with seaweed on the Nzema coastline.

He added that Ghana Gas has banned fishermen along the Nzema coastline due to its installations underneath the sea.

The legal practitioner further said the seaweed and the ban from Ghana Gas is affecting the lives of fishermen in the Nzema community.

The Queen Mother of Ekpu, Bulu Bennieh III who joined the demonstrators emphasized that Nzemas’ are not illiterate as being speculated in the country whenever they are in search of job opportunities.

She stated they would continue to fight for their freedom and not allow themselves to be turned around and destroy the Nzemas’.

Bulu Bennieh III further said if a Palm Oil company which was built by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and being abandoned by the previous Government is functioning, the Nzema youth could have been employed.

Story by Benjamin Bray, Atinka Media Village