Six injured in Odoben Chieftaincy clash; chief calls for gov’t intervention

Six people were injured in a chieftaincy-related clash at Odoben in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District of the Central Region on Saturday, October 11.

While some of the injured have been treated and discharged, others remain hospitalised.

The confrontation reportedly erupted after one faction attempted to prevent a traditional Asafo group from holding an outdoor event, leading to violent exchanges between the rival sides.

Speaking to Citi News on Wednesday, October 15, the Chief of the community, Nana Kwame Nyarko Okra Wrisi XVII, appealed for the intervention of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, as well as the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, to resolve the two-decade-old feud.

The Chief, who expressed fear for his safety given similar incidents in which chiefs have lost their lives, urged the authorities to strengthen security in the area.

“Just last Saturday, members of my family clashed with another faction during a misunderstanding over the traditional Asafo Hine celebration. It was unfortunate that what should have been a cultural event was mistaken for a call for conflict,” he said.

He added, “Several people were injured in the clash. Investigations are ongoing, and I hope for a proper resolution to end these recurring tensions. Authorities must ensure order so our children can have a peaceful future — because these conflicts are holding back development. We don’t even have a market or a lorry park.”