Artisans living and working on an unnumbered plot of land adjacent to the Cocoa Processing Company Limited in Tema have staged a protest over the alleged sale of the land to a Chinese national and what they describe as an attempt to evict them without prior notice.

The artisans say they have occupied the land for about 26 years, using it as their place and a source of livelihood.

Speaking during the protest, the lead convenor, Emmanuel Abdul-Salam, said the matter had been taken to court.

He appealed to the relevant government authorities to intervene and protect the artisans from what he described as inhumane treatment and alleged harassment by the individual claiming ownership of the land.

“These are mechanics who have been here for over 26 years. It was a valley and they filled it with laterite and gravel. This land is for TDC and TDC being a government agency, should rather empower the artisans by building mechanic shops here and give them space to work.

“However, an individual called Francis Ayiku bought this place and went and brought Chinese here and they are now sacking these people to move from this place. This is very inhumane treatment.”