“We Won’t Leave Our Land” — Magazine Zone 13 Artisans Protest Eviction at Tafo New Road

Tension mounted at Tafo New Road in Kumasi on Wednesday morning as hundreds of artisans from Magazine Zone 13 staged a massive protest against what they described as a forceful and unfair eviction from their long-occupied land. The demonstration, which started at dawn, brought together mechanics, sprayers, welders, electricians, and other craftsmen who chanted songs and held placards to express their displeasure over the alleged attempt to dislodge them from their workplace.

The protesters, wielding placards with inscriptions such as “We Won’t Leave Our Land,” “Otumfuo, Save Us,” “Stop the Injustice,” and “We Deserve Fair Treatment,” accused certain individuals and private developers of scheming to take over their land without proper notice, consultation, or compensation. They explained that they have occupied the land for several decades, developing it with their own resources and turning it into one of the most vibrant artisanal zones within the Old Tafo Municipality.

Chairman for Magazine Zone 13, Mr. Kwame Owusu Basoa, addressing the media during the protest, said the group felt betrayed by the sudden eviction notice after many years of peaceful operation and contribution to the local economy. He lamented that the artisans have invested heavily in building sheds, purchasing equipment, and training hundreds of apprentices, only to be asked to leave without engagement or justification.

“We have been working here for decades, honestly earning a living and training the youth. We have developed this land ourselves and paid our dues over the years. Now, we are being asked to vacate without any consultation or compensation. This is not right, and we will not leave until the authorities do the right thing,” Mr. Basoa said.

Other aggrieved artisans who spoke during the protest also shared their frustrations, describing the situation as heartbreaking and unjust. They said the eviction order, if carried out, would destroy their source of livelihood and push many families into hardship. They recounted how they had spent years building their workshops, training young apprentices, and supporting the community through their daily work.

One welder, visibly emotional, said, “We have been here all our lives, and this is what we depend on to feed our families. We are not criminals; we are hardworking people. Why should we be treated this way? We are pleading with Otumfuo and the MCE to come to our aid.”

Another sprayer also appealed to the authorities, saying, “We are not against development, but development must not destroy people’s lives. We only want fairness and respect. We beg Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and our MCE, Hon. Abubakar Sidiq, to intervene and save our livelihoods.”

The artisans collectively 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 ensure that justice is served. They expressed faith in Otumfuo’s leadership and called on the MCE to act swiftly to protect the interests of the artisans who have contributed immensely to the economic growth of the municipality.

Police personnel from the Tafo-Pankrono Division were dispatched to the scene to maintain order as the protest gained momentum. The demonstration, though intense, remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or arrests. The police managed traffic flow as hundreds of artisans lined the streets chanting and calling for justice.

Efforts to reach the alleged developers for comment proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, sources within the Old Tafo Municipal Assembly indicated that the Assembly is aware of the matter and has initiated internal discussions to address the concerns of the artisans.

The Magazine Zone 13 enclave is one of the most active mechanical and artisanal hubs in the Old Tafo Municipality, supporting hundreds of families, apprentices, and small-scale traders. The artisans emphasized that their contributions to the local economy must be respected, and any redevelopment of the area must be done through dialogue, fairness, and proper compensation.

“We are not fighting anyone,” Mr. Basoa concluded. “We only want fairness and for the authorities to listen to our concerns. All we ask for is that they respect the work we have done here and find a peaceful way to resolve this issue.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, calm had returned to the area, but tension remained high as the artisans vowed to continue their peaceful protest until their appeals are heard and addressed by the Asantehene and the Old Tafo Municipal Assembly.