A clash between residents of Menpemehoasem and Odumasi communities in the Eastern Region has led to the death of a person.
The victim, identified as Osei Owusu, 32, suffered gunshot wounds and died while receiving treatment at the Nsawam Government Hospital.
Both communities where the clash happened are in Akwapim South in the Eastern Region and Ga West in the Greater Accra Region; and according police sources the lands are located in both regions.
Five persons suspected to have committed the act had since been arrested by the Amasaman Divisional Police Command and were assisting in investigations.
They are Ben Darko, 68; James Sarpong, 67; Asante Bright, 31; Victor Sika Kwaku, 18; and Opanin Asane Kwame, 64.
The Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Efia Tenge, when contacted said the police were investigating a murder case and possession of firearms and ammunitions without lawful authority against the arrested suspects and not the boundary demarcation as earlier claimed.
She said on Sunday, February 7, 2021, around 11:20am, police received information from the National Police Control Room, Accra, that there was a shooting incident at Menpemehoasem near Obodan in the Eastern Region leading to the death of someone.
She said the Amasaman Divisional Police Commander , Gabriel Hiamade, led the Divisional Patrol teams to the scene and upon their arrival, they discovered that the act was as a result of boundary demarcation.
“Our investigations gathered indicated that about two weeks ago, the Chief of Aburi, Nana Gyan Kwasi, engaged Abusuapanin Kofi Akotia to ensure that boundary demarcations were created to separate lands between Mempemehuasem and Odumasi, since both communities fall under his control.” She said.
DSP Tenge said the boundary exercise commenced last week but those carrying out the demarcation did not inform the Adjen Kotoku Police who were responsible for the place.
She continued that around 8:45am that same day, the said Abusuapanin Akotia and his youth got a hint that some people were grading Mempemehuasem lands and proceeded to the place.
“On arrival, however, the people allegedly carrying the act had left the scene with their machines and tools; and when the said Abusuapanin Akotia and his team were returning home, the youth of Odumasi numbering about eight with two of them holding pump action guns confronted the team and this resulted in a heated verbal exchanges,” she narrated.
DSP Tenge said their investigations indicated that the armed wielding men opened fire on the said Abusuapanin Akotia and his men, where Osei Owusu sustained serious injuries.
She said the four persons were arrested during police investigations and later, Opanin Asane Kwame, who claimed ownership of the weapons, was also arrested.
“Police patrol team has been dispatched to the area and they are monitoring the situation; and arrangement is being made to transfer the body of the deceased person to the police hospital morgue for autopsy,” she added.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey