Military men burn changfan machine on Weija Lake

Four military personnel and a police officer are facing accusations of destroying a changfan machine used by volunteers to dredge Weija Lake. The machine was being utilized for desilting and dredging activities, aimed at enhancing water flow and mitigating flood risks in nearby communities. Eyewitnesses and volunteers involved in the operation stated that the dredging was a voluntary effort to minimize flooding.

The volunteers contended that the military personnel, along with some residents, halted the dredging process. They claimed that the military fired shots at the machine and subsequently set it on fire. Nana Kwame Ofori and engineers from Everlasting Abundance Company questioned the military's decision to destroy the equipment rather than arresting the operators if they were engaged in illegal activities.

They emphasized that the dredging operation had obtained permission from the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Chief Executive, Felix Odartey Lamptey. The volunteers expressed surprise at the military's actions and questioned the rationale behind the machine's destruction. They clarified that they had no malicious intentions and were locals attempting to address recurrent flooding issues in their area.

The decision to voluntarily dredge the lake stemmed from the negative impacts of released water from the Weija Dam, which often resulted in property damage. The group underscored the benefits of clearing silt and sand from the waterway, as it would facilitate smoother water flow and potentially lessen the flood risks for residents and their properties.

They have called for explanations from authorities concerning the destruction of the changfan machine and the alleged use of firearms during the incident.