The police making arrests
One person was killed while another sustained severe injuries yesterday at Ahwiaa in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region after clashes between two youth groups.
DAILY GUIDE gathered one person was butchered during the violent clashes.
Several young people were arrested by the joint police and military team deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
School-children were made to go home as a result of the violence.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the area, Nana Osei Assibey Bonsu, who confirmed the incident, said he received information about the death of an individual.
An eyewitness claimed four people died in the renewed clashes, but there has not been any independent verification.
A few weeks ago, the youth, who clashed, destroyed property in the town along the Kumasi-Mampong road and caused injury to others.
“Actually, I’m surprised about the incident. We did everything within our power to ensure peace at Ahwiaa,” the MCE stated.
He continued, “We had our roadmap…and we followed it. We organized a community durbar, which was attended by the Sariki Zongo, Chief Imam, the chief of Awhiaa and other stakeholders during which we discussed the peace of the area.”
The head of the Municipal Security Council could not fathom why the violence erupted again after the peace talks, and reiterated his commitment to resolving the matter amicably.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has also announced plans to end bloody clashes that have claimed lives in the region.
The authorities imposed curfew some few weeks ago to restore peace, following similar violent clashes between the feuding factions.
The funeral of a popular teenager in the area was alleged to have caused violence between two youth groups some weeks ago.
It is unclear what caused the violent clashes on Monday, but some people in the area said the youth decided to launch reprisal attacks.
Mr Assibey Bonsu said he was surprised that the youth chose to fight despite efforts made by all stakeholders to ensure lasting peace.
“I just don’t know why the violence keeps occurring,” the worried MCE declared.
He added that the security agencies had brought the situation under control.
From Ernest Kofi Adu &I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi