The Ministry of Interior has imposed a curfew on the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region in response to a recent shooting incident in the area.
Speaking to Class News, residents expressed deep concern over the recurring unrest and appealed to the government and stakeholders to find a lasting solution that would ensure peaceful coexistence among tribal groups.
According to the residents, while they have become accustomed to curfews, what they truly seek is lasting peace that will allow them to go about their daily activities freely and promote development in the municipality.
They urged authorities to take concrete steps to address the underlying causes of the conflict and restore stability to the area.
Background information with sources from gbcghanaonline.com
Nkwanta South in the Oti Region has witnessed renewed ethnic tensions, resulting in one person being injured and the destruction of property. Two houses are said to have been burnt in the latest violence, which according to residents began on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, and escalated on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Some residents in the Nkwanta township reported sporadic gunfire on Wednesday night around 10:00 p.m. and another episode on Thursday afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. The disturbances have left residents in fear as many believe this may revive tensions between feuding factions despite previous peace efforts.
Security personnel, including the Ghana police service, the Ghana Army Forces and the fire service struggled to contain the flames which had already destroyed the structures.
The Nkwanta Divisional Police Command has since launched investigations into the matter and urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could escalate the situation.
This recent violence comes after months of uneasy calm in the area. Ethnic disputes among the Adele, Challah, and Akyode communities in the Nkwanta area have historically plagued Nkwanta South. A series of clashes in late 2023 resulted in several deaths and injuries, prompting the government to impose curfews and ban arms within the township.
In January 2024, traditional leaders from the warring factions committed to peace talks, facilitated by the Oti Regional Coordinating Council. However, despite these efforts, sporadic violence and unresolved tensions have continued to disrupt the community.
Even though the cause for this violence is not clear and known residents are calling for immediate intervention to prevent further escalation. the seeming renewed clashes highlight the pressing need for sustainable solutions to address the underlying causes of the conflict.
Source: classfmonline.com
