The Chiefs and people of Kpenoe Traditional Area in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region have appealed to government and the military hierarchy to urgently relocate a military shooting range sited in the area.
This comes after recent alleged assault on some residents and encroachment on the community’s lands by the military.
The Paramount Chief of Kpenoe, Togbe Kotoku at a news conference said infrastructural development and increasing population have necessitated the need for the range to be relocated out of the community.
The Kpenoe Traditional Area forms part of the Asogli State and is a predominant farming community.
The military shooting range used by the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho was acquired by government in 1969 for military training.
Paramount Chief of Kpenoe, Togbe Kotoku however noted that the rapid growth of Ho has resulted in individuals and estate developers investing in projects in the area which is few kilometres from the municipality.
Exhibiting bullets of sophisticated fire arms alleged to have been flying in the community, Togbe Kotoku noted that most members of the community have expressed concern about their safety and security in the community due to persistent shooting sounds and flying of bullets during military training.
Togbe Kotoku expressed worry about the military mounting boundary poles by 1,001 acres of land in the community instead of a 483.34 acre which is has documented.
That notwithstanding he stated that, most of the families were not duly compensated during acquisition of the land resulting families of land owners engaging in farming and small-scale quarry business on the lands.
He said military officers have assaulted some of the youths engaging in such activities and appeals to the military for redress has not yielded positive results.
