Tension is brewing in the ancient fishing community of Awonasuazo in the Ellembelle District in the Western Region following a decision by the chief of the area to evict Ewe settlers in the community.
The settlement, mainly occupied by fisherfolk from the southern part of the Volta Region, dates back almost a century, with a sizable population of Anlo settlers from all the 36 clans of the Anlo State of the Volta Region inhabiting the area.
These Ewe settler fisherfolk migrated to the Nzemamanle in pre-independent Ghana for their fishing trade, and have lived there with others until they received the eviction letter dated September 13, 2024.
The eviction notice, which was under the hand of Sanzule Royal Palace Administration in the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, was headed: “Settlement Agreement and Eviction Notice”.
It was signed by Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, and addressed to all occupants of Sanzule Stool Lands at Awonasuazo.
The letter said in part: “The settlement agreement reached between the earlier settlers at Awonasuazo or Anwonakrom and the Sanzule Stool under which the Sanzule Stool magnanimously offered the earlier settlers a portion of land in Anwonasuazo to stay has been disrespected”.
It further stated that the current settlement in question was a place designated for the Sanzule Water Project, and that the area was given for temporary settlement at no cost or fee, with neither a monthly or yearly rental charge.
The purported eviction letter barred the Ewes from putting up any permanent structures and engaging in any activities that would permanently change the nature and face of the land.
The palace said the agreement also prohibited the earlier settlers from allowing other potential settlers onto the land without the consent and concurrence of the Sanzule Stool.
The Sanzule Palace said it had come to the attention of Okatakyie Asafo Boakye that various residents of Anwonasuazo had put up or were in the process of putting up permanent residential and commercial structures in the area.
The letter
“Also, my attention has been drawn to the recent increase in population size, which is indicative of the fact that you are offering potential settlers unknown to the Sanzule Stool settlement spaces in the area and charging them for the purpose,” Okatakyie Asafo Boakye stated in the letter.
The Chief said the developments were in blatant breach of the undocumented agreement reached with the earlier settlers, insisting that “you are hereby warned to desist from the same.
Please be informed that you are not to put up any permanent structures in the Anwonasuazo area”.
The letter stated that all settler residents were required to vacate from the Anwonasuazo area within a year from the date of the letter.
The Chief said the eviction would enable the Sanzule Stool to reclaim the land for the intended use.
“In vacating the area as stated herein, you are required to remove all structures put up by you, be it residential or commercial, and hand over vacant possession of the land to the Sanzule Royal Stool,” the letter stated.
However, the leader of the Anwonasuazo community, Nana Jagadu, said the position of the palace came as a surprise to them, and that their great-grandfathers settled there shortly after independence.
He said for several decades, they had settled at Anwonasuazo and in peace with Sanzule and all other surrounding communities, hence the sudden change and eviction notice came as a shock to them.
Nana Jagadu said several interactions with the traditional leaders had failed to yield any results, with the palace serving a reminder on Wednesday, July 8, 2025.
Anlo settlement
The Anlo settlement has existed for decades, where the people have lived and given birth to children who have known the Anwonasuazo community as their hometown.
However, the people of Anwonasuazo now appear to live with their uncertain residential fate.
“We have been here for years without any challenge; our great-grandparents lived and died here, and were buried here.
We see our hosts and ourselves as one people,” a woman who spoke to the Daily Graphic said.
Anlos are known for their settlements across the country, including areas in the Western and Central regions, where they have created Anlo villages at Duakor in Cape Coast, Anlo Village in Shama District, Sanzule and Asanda-Ankobra in the Ellembelle District, Half Assini as well as New Town in the Jomoro Municipality.
