Five additional deaths have been recorded in the renewed ethnic conflict between the Akyode and Challa communities in the Nkwanta-South Municipality of the Oti Region.
This brings the total death toll to seven in the renewed clash which started last Wednesday reports Emmanuel Modey.
Meanwhile, the GNA reports that the Nkwanta township has been plunged into a state of desolation, with social and economic activities grinding to a halt following the renewed ethnic conflict.
The violence, which erupted last Wednesday [June 25, 2025] has claimed seven lives including that of a final-year student of Nkwanta Senior High School and left several others injured, including two female day students, who sustained gunshot wounds.
All public and private schools in the town have been closed down to protect the lives of students and teachers and Nkwanta Senior High School was among those shattered, with arrangements for police escorts to ensure students’ safe passage home.
Many non-indigenous teachers have fled the town, adding to the sense of uneasiness, shops have been locked up, and the usual bustling atmosphere has given way to an eerie silence.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Kpassa, Ubor Konja Tasan has appealed to Kokombas to exercise restraints and ensure that they rather contribute actively to ending the conflict in the area.
“We have to prove that it was easy for people of all ethnic groups to live together in harmony to satisfy their common aspirations”, he said.
The Oti Regional Minister John Kwadwo Gyapong has paid a working visit to commiserate with the victims and affected families.
He said as the conflict was raging on with no sign of peace in sight, it was time for the people to decide not to continue with the fighting.
He called on the youth and elders to support the implementation of the peace process to assist in bringing a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict. He noted with great concern that the prolonged conflict has threatened the peace, safety and prosperity of the citizens as well as hindered the development of the area. Mr Kwadwo Gyapong urged the feuding tribes to allow peace to prevail and choose the path of amicable solution to issues instead of the use of weapons that lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
Source: GraphicOnline