Some residents of Nsein being prevented from entering Axim. INSET: Awulae Agyefi Kwame II
There is seeming tension between residents of Axim and Nsein, all in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region over a land dispute.
According to some of the residents, if the appropriate authorities do not intervene, the matter could escalate into serious conflict.
Information gathered indicates that, all hell broke loose at Axim on Monday when residents of Nsein who were entering Axim Lower Town to pour libation as part of their Kundum Festival celebration were prevented from doing so.
Paramount Chief of Nsein Traditional Area, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, who was not happy at the trend of event, expressed deep displeasure about what happened and the alleged conduct of the police in Axim.
He asserted that some actions of the police in the area, undermine his chieftaincy.
He maintained that the land in dispute belongs to Nsein, stressing that no one has the authority to prevent residents of Nsein from entering the area in Axim which he claimed belongs to the Nsein Traditional Area.
He further challenged anyone who wants to dispute his claim to come out with his or her documents relating to the land, to support their claim.
Awulae Agyefi Kwame II also said he had already informed the Regional House of Chiefs of his decision to pour libation on the land at Lower Town Axim as part of activities marking his Kundum Festival.
He said official letters were also sent to the appropriate institutions and authorities to inform them of his intentions.
He expressed anger and disappointment over the actions of the police officers who prevented his retinue and members of his community from entering the area, which he considers part of his jurisdiction.
He indicated that, following the incident, the Nsein residents stopped playing the Kundum drums and vowed to converge at Lower Town Axim.
Awulae Agyefi Kwame II assured his subjects that he would take the necessary steps to pursue what he described as the fight for his property through the appropriate means.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi