Issah Alhassan
26 August 2009
Kumasi — THE MINISTER of Environment, Science and Technology, Ms. Sherry Ayittey, has intervened in the impasse between residents of Kobriso community near Ejisu, and the Municipal Assembly, over the release of a parcel of land by the late Ejisuhene, Nana Aboagye Agyei II, to one Dr Alex Osei to put up a mortuary at the source of the Kobri stream, which supplies their drinking water.
During a visit by the Minister, she stated that there were are rules and regulations regarding the planning and layout of every community, and that there were some sensitive issues to be addressed in implementing some plans, therefore there was the need to consider whether a project might have adverse effects on the residents or not.
She has therefore called for the assistance of the Water Research Institute to find the source of the river in question, and help the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Local Government, to assess the social impact of the said mortuary on the community.
The Minister also appealed to the Traditional Council and residents to resolve their differences within a one month period, and report back to her.
The residents have indicated that the siting of the said mortuary, allegedly approved the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was not right.
According to them, their concerns were heightened by the secrecy in which the acquisition of the site is shrouded, and the unavailability of a general plan for Ejisu, to prove that the place was a site for a mortuary.
According to them, the then Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), at a point, claimed that the land was not part of the Government Hospital lands, but had been sold out by the late Omanhene of Ejisu, while Town and Country officials also claim that the land was part of the hospital's, and that the Ejisu Hospital had no official plan.
Explaining their position, the protestors said the Ejisu Hospital had an appropriate site for a mortuary, and that they do not see the urgency in releasing the hospital's land to a private investor to site a mortuary, especially at the head of the stream from which the inhabitants drink.
The community said they were not against the construction of the mortuary, but would advise that it is relocated to a more convenient and suitable place.
"We are willing to assist the investor to acquire a better site which will not attract any controversies, and even assist him with communal labour during the construction, to co-exist with the investor," representatives of the community, including Nana Boafour Arko Opasram III (spokesman), Mr. Ampofo Twumasi, Mr. J. Owusu Frimpong (Chairman, Landlords Association) and Nana Tweneboah Asante II, among others indicated.
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