The Ghanaian economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and the rural farmer is crucial to the advancement of not only agriculture but the economy as a whole.

Many farmers are however losing their lands to investors and commercial firms who offer traditional leaders good money for huge family lands that have been owned by the farmers for years, depriving these rural folks of their incomes.

Over thirty farmers in Amantin, a local village in the Brong Ahafo region have been hit hard by the activities of one such firm.

Amantin AgroProcessing is a local firm that has acquired 42,000 acres of land stretching across 7 communities from the Paramount Chief of Amantin.

Samuel Narh is one of the numerous rural farmers who have lost the farmlands they have tilled for over 50 years to the firm. Another farmer, Akua Mansah confirms the firm has taken over 40 acres of land belonging to her and other family members. This, she asserts, has made life unbearable for farmers in the affected communities.

However, the company has recruited some of the farmers in the community. A teacher at a local school in Amantin, Vida Amoateng says students are now working for the firm to earn 7 cedis a day.

Farm Manager of Amantin AgroProcessing, Williams Boateng insists the lands now belong to them.

Nana Serwah Bonsu, Queenmother of Amantin, says there are consultations to revert some of the lands to the farmers.

The question is who owns the lands in a community? Does the traditional leader as custodian have the power to sell any land he chooses to? And what is the future of the smallholder farmer in a Ghanaian economy which is mainly dependent on agriculture?