UW/R: Concerned Dagara Youth condemns ‘unwarranted’ persistent land dispute between Dagara and Sissala communities
The Concerned Dagara Youth in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region has condemned the persistent and deadly land disputes between some Dagara and Sissala communities.
The Dagara and Sissaia communities in the district have lived together peacefully until recently when there have been forceful seizure of farmlands belonging to the Dagara community on the back of alleged attacks from members of the Sissala communities.
In a press release from the Concerned Dagara Youth, it said these unwarranted acts have resulted in severe personal injuries, destruction of properties and death.
The Concerned Dagara Youth in the Lambussie have warned that after several failed attempts to solve the issue, members will take action to defend themselves and their farmlands from all forms of threat.
“While we have resolved not to initiate any tribal or land disputes with any group, we also bear a natural obligation to protect ourselves and our families and properties. Consequently, we will defend ourselves against all forms of threats that seek to jeopardise our lives and survival henceforth. We shall resist any attempt to enslave us whether directly or through the manipulated use of State Security,” part of a release from the group said.
It further noted that it is also available to continue efforts to resolve the matter peacefully, adding that the youth understands the critical role of peace in our individual and collective development.
“Without any shred of doubt, we are committed to peaceful resolutions of the disputes and pledge to work with the security agencies and relevant stakeholders in that regard,” the Concerned Dagara Youth in the Lambussie said.
Read the press release in full below:
CONCERNED DAGARA YOUTH IN THE
LAMBUSSIE DISTRICT OF THE UPPER WEST REGION
OF GHANA
Our Ref no. DPLSWN/2024001
Your Ref no
Date: 21/07/2024
For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE ON DEADLY LAND DISPUTES BETWEEN SOME DAGARA AND
SISSALA COMMUNITIES IN THE LAMBUSSIE DISTRICT OF THE UPPER WEST
REGION
The Concerned Dagara Youth in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region wishes to draw the public's attention to persistent and deadly land disputes between some Dagara and Sissala communities in the district. The Dagara and Sissaia communities in the district have lived together peacefully until some Sissaia groups recently tried every year to forcefully seize farmlands belonging to their Dagara neighbours. These unwarranted acts have resulted severe personal injuries, destruction of properties and a death.
In the early hours of 15th July 2024, Aabangme Kuuseg, aka Kofi Pala, a native of
Chebogo (near Fielmuo) was attacked and shot to death on his farm by a suspected Sissala youth. The incident is being investigated by the Ghana Police Service. A similar shooting by some Sissala youth happened on 13th July 2024 at Hiineteng, another Dagara community, in which Ralio Woma Aasuor and Simon Kpenuzie were arrested by the Police. There since has not been clear details on who caused the arrest of these Wvo and the crime committed by them.
On 3rd April 2024, hundreds of gun wielding Sisaalas on motor bikes descended to
Kyognuorgaugn to harvest fish in a little pond which had almost dried up. The residents objected because it is the only source of water for their animals. It took the police and military to disperse the gun wielding Sisaalas but not before a free for all brawl had ensued. Six Dagara sustained serious injuries from machete wounds. Six Sisaalas were arrested by the Police/Military all of them with guns. The residents of Kyognuorgaugn also effected citizens' arrest of two more armed Sisaalas who were handed over to the Police together with their weapons. The suspects have since been released. We are not aware of any action being taken against them.
The Concerned Dagara Youth deems these and several other attacks on our communities as highly unacceptable. In our efforts to ensure a peaceful resolution of the disputes, we have worked with various opinion leaders (chiefs, elders and assembly members) of the affected Dagara communities to petition all the relevant bodies mandated by law to ensure peace and development in the country. These include the Minister for Interior, Inspector General of Police, National Security Coordinator,
Commander of Ghana Armed Force, President of the National House of Chiefs, Regional
Police Commander, Regional Security Coordinator, President of the Regional House of Chiefs, District Chief Executive, Member of Parliament, Lambussie District, District Police Commander, District Security Coordinator, Lambussie Paramount Chief, and Koro Chief.
It is worth noting that particular individuals are directly fueling the disputes and/or undermining every effort to restore peace in the district. Col. Clement Kojo Dingane of the Ghana Army is notably the perpetrator of many of these tensions. In May 2022, some households in Kyognuorgaungn went to prepare their farmlands for farming activities toward the rains. They subsequently sowed on the prepared lands. On one of their routine visits to their farms, they realized that the planted farmlands were overploughed with a tractor which destroyed all the crops on the farm. On trace, we found out that the said Col. Dingane ordered the destruction of the crops. As peaceful people, we reported the incident to the Koro kuoro (chief). Several discussions went on between us and the Koro kuoro. In the end, the Chief told us to still hold peace while he invited Col. Dingane for an engagement towards a peaceful resolution of the problem. Unfortunately, that engagement with Col. Dingane never happened during that year.
In May 2023, some households went to prepare their farmlands only to realise that many of their lands were being ploughed by a tractor on Col. Dingane's orders. The matter was reported to the Koro kuoro again and he said he would organize a meeting bewæen us and Col. Dingane. The meeting finally came on in June 2023 in the presence of Col. Dingane, the Koro kuoro, the Paramount Chief of Lambussie and the Chief and people of Kyognuorgaungn. In the meeting, Col Dingane told the Dagara that he had seized those farmlands. He provocatively added that he was ready for war if the Dagara were dissatisfied with his decision to seize the affected farmlands. He braggingly showed us a side weapon and pointed to two persons in military uniforms who he brought to intimidate us.
In addition, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Lambussie District, Hon. George Naluri, has consistently demonstrated bad faith towards the Dagara parties in the dispute. For instance, based on his orders, the police picked up two Dagara from Koro because they pruned trees on their farms in accordance with normal agronomic practice to reduce shade on the farm as well as make the trees more productive. On this occasion, organized Sissala youth massed up at the Lambussie Police Station and brutalized Dagara who visited their arrested brothers at the Lambussie Police station. The Nandom Police had to be invited to Lambussie to escort the brutalized and traumatized persons out of Lambussie. This incident was the subject of a petition to the DCE on December 30, 2023. To date, there has been no feedback from the Hon. DCE on the status of the petition. We have lost confidence in the ability of Hon. Naluri to ensure that justice is not only served but is seen to be manifestly served.
As a progressive-minded youth group, we understand the critical role of peace in our individual and collective development. Without any shred of doubt, we are committed to peaceful resolutions of the disputes and pledge to work with the security agencies and relevant stakeholders in that regard. However, despite our calm and resolve to maintain peace, we will not countenance the continuous attacks by the various irate Sissala groups. While we have resolved not to initiate any tribal or land disputes with any group, we also bear a natural obligation to protect ourselves and our families and properties. Consequently, we will defend ourselves against all forms of threats that seek to jeopardise our lives and survival henceforth. We shall resist any attempt to enslave us whether directly or through the manipulated use of State Security.
By: Leadership of the Concerned Dagara Youth, Lambussie District