The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Nkwanta South, Joseph Antwi, has admitted that ongoing efforts to resolve deep-rooted ethnic tensions in the municipality through dialogue and legal processes have failed to yield results.
His comments follow renewed violence in the early hours of Thursday, June 27, after gunshots were fired around 2:00 a.m. in the Oti Region. The latest disturbance was triggered by an attempt to perform libation rites ahead of the Yam Festival, which was reportedly resisted by a rival faction—reigniting simmering hostilities among ethnic groups in the area.
The violent clash comes despite an earlier agreement brokered by local authorities and the Oti Regional Minister to suspend all public festivals due to the area’s fragile peace.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom, Mr. Antwi expressed frustration over the repeated failure of peaceful and legal interventions.
“This issue started somewhere in 2021. It has been recurring, so we pleaded with the youth that this time around, the law should be used to solve the problem, but I think it is not working. We tried to engage them, but it is not working,” he stated.
The MCE revealed that security personnel have since begun arresting suspects in connection with the latest incident in a bid to restore calm.
“The security is now picking suspects to answer questions and ensure the town is calm. This issue has been traumatising residents and businessmen and women,” he added.
The renewed tensions have heightened fear among residents and disrupted commercial activity in parts of the municipality, with many calling for stronger state intervention to avert a full-scale conflict.
Heavy security deployed to Nkwanta South after renewed chieftaincy clashes
