Settler farmers in Sefwi-Bodi in the Western Region say they feel haunted by their Chief who is demanding a share in their cocoa farms. The farmers allege the Nana Kwame Nkrumah has imposed a compulsory levy of one kilogramme on each bag of cocoa for development projects, but refuses to make the proceeds available to the local communities, Joy News correspondent Saeed Ali Yaquab reported. A spokesman for the farmers, Odikro Bawa Ubego told Kumasi-based Luv FM the chief allocated the lands to them without proper documentation but government allowed them to cultivate the lands after negotiations. But after several years, the chief is demanding half of each farmer’s farm or a levy of GHc5,000 and GHc10,000. Odikro Ubego said in some instances the chief has ordered thugs to take people’s cocoa beans still being dried. He called on government to intervene, warning failure to do so could adversely affect cocoa production in the area. Persons who inherited beans from their parents even a worse pressure from the chief and his people. He accuses the benefactors’ parents of stealing the land and claims a good chunk of their lands. Odikro Ubego said four persons have already suffered this ordeal while others have also had their cocoa beans on the drying mat seized by the chief. He intimated that the farmers had tried to negotiate with the chief last year on the matter but he would not listen. Meanwhile attempts to speak to Nana Nkrumah proved futile. Source: Joy News