Asemko community in Ahanta West "ravaged" by chieftaincy dispute  

Nana Kobena Nketsiah V, the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs has called on Asemko community and the Ahantaland to allow peace to thrive.

He said the day-to-day chieftaincy struggles over the years had done more harm than good to the development of the Ahanta people, a keynote for reflection and turnover.

The President of the House of Chiefs said this when he together with the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Joseph Nelson and other government officials visited the community after last week’s incident that left one beheaded and lots of destructive activities.

He recounted: “The last time, one Abusuapanin was smeared with acid and now he is partially blind…our ancestors who left us the land and other property must be angry with our behaviour now”.

Nana Kobena Nketsiah V added: “Let's stop disgracing our ancestors and collaborate for a better Ahanta, Nzema and Wassa”.

The upheaval had left the entire community in ruins, after many homes were set to ablaze.

Currently, schools remain closed, and families are seeking asylum in nearby communities.

Asemko and Butre communities have had one traditional leader, Nana Agyeibu Tiah, but Butre had persistently agitated its own chief, creating a deep-seated rift which turned violent a week ago.

Nana Agyeibu Tiah’s personal visit to Asemko on that fateful day angered a rival chieftaincy faction sparking a sudden attack on him and his elders.

The Western Regional Security Council, led by Western Regional Minister, Mr. Joseph Nelson, visited the community to assess the scale of the destruction.

The Municipal Chief Executive of Ahanta West, Mr. Ebenezer Aidoo, said the Assembly was currently compiling the list of all displaced victims, including the affected schoolchildren.

Meanwhile, the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, and the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, have directed the security services, especially the police, to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure justice was served.

Madam Mavis Kuukua Bissue, the MP for the area, also appealed for peace and a resolution to the chieftaincy disputes.

She noted that it was high time the Ahanta West constituency was positioned to attract investment.

In the meantime, security officers have been deployed to the area to protect the community.

GNA