Tension is rising among artisans at the Magazine Zone 13 enclave in the Old Tafo Municipality as they protest what they describe as an unlawful and forceful eviction from their long-occupied land. The aggrieved craftsmen, made up of mechanics, sprayers, welders, and electricians, have passionately appealed to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, and the Municipal Chief Executive of Old Tafo, Hon. Abubakar Sidiq, to intervene and save their livelihoods.
The artisans, who have been operating along the Tafo New Road for decades, say they were recently served with eviction notices to vacate the land for an alleged private development project. According to them, the order came without prior consultation, compensation, or any form of engagement, leaving hundreds of artisans and their families anxious about their future.
On Wednesday morning, hundreds of artisans poured onto the streets to demonstrate peacefully against what they described as a deliberate attempt to take away their source of livelihood. They carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Otumfuo, Save Us,” “We Won’t Leave Our Land,” “Stop the Injustice,” and “Respect Artisans’ Contribution.” The protest temporarily disrupted traffic on the Tafo New Road as the group chanted songs calling for justice and intervention from traditional and municipal authorities.
Chairman for Magazine Zone 13, Mr. Kwame Owusu Basoa, said the artisans had spent years developing the land and turning it into one of the most productive mechanical zones in the municipality. He expressed disappointment over the alleged eviction, describing it as unfair and unacceptable. He explained that the group had invested heavily in erecting sheds, acquiring tools, and training many young apprentices who depend on the zone for their livelihood.
Mr. Basoa added that the artisans were not against development but insisted that any redevelopment process must be done through fair consultation and proper procedures. He said the sudden attempt to evict them was unjust and appealed for immediate intervention from Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Old Tafo Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Abubakar Sidiq.
He expressed confidence that the Asantehene would not allow hardworking artisans who have served the community for years to be treated unfairly. He also commended the MCE for his commitment to development and urged him to take swift action to protect their interests.
Other aggrieved artisans who spoke with journalists shared their frustrations and fears, saying the eviction would destroy their only source of livelihood and leave many unemployed. One welder who has worked in the area for more than twenty years said the move would collapse the trade they have built over the years. He appealed to Otumfuo and the MCE to step in and find an amicable solution that would allow them to continue their work peacefully.
Another auto electrician lamented that the artisans had been contributing to the local economy and deserved respect, not eviction. He added that they had always paid their levies to the assembly and participated in community clean-up exercises, yet were being treated unfairly.
The protest, though tense, remained peaceful under the watch of police officers from the Tafo-Pankrono Division, who were deployed to maintain order and prevent any escalation. Residents in the area expressed sympathy for the artisans and urged the authorities to engage them in dialogue to prevent further unrest.
Sources within the Old Tafo Municipal Assembly revealed that the leadership, under Hon. Abubakar Sidiq, is aware of the issue and is taking steps to engage all stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution.
The Magazine Zone 13 enclave is one of the busiest artisanal hubs in the Tafo Municipality, employing hundreds of skilled workers and apprentices. Many of the artisans believe that any attempt to displace them without proper engagement would not only affect their families but also have dire economic consequences for the community.
As the situation unfolds, the artisans remain hopeful that their plea to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Hon. Abubakar Sidiq will yield positive results and restore calm to the area.
