Adele Union demands justice over Nkwanta crisis

The Adele Union in Accra has requested that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo dismiss the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Nkwanta, as well as the Acting Oti Regional Police Commander.

They accuse them of being complacent during the Nkwanta clash that resulted in fatalities.

The Union also called for the arrest of some individuals who were involved in the violence and were captured on video taunting security agencies before the incident.

The Union believes that if ACP Acquah and Bright Lenwah had heeded warnings against allowing the Akyode ethnic group to celebrate the yam festival, the violence that erupted could have been avoided.

The Union condemned attempts to introduce political undertones to the clashes and claimed that these attempts were false and smeared almost every aspect of the community with the same sentiments.

The Union believes that these false allegations make it difficult for state actors to reason logically and make decisions in the interest of Nkwanta and its people.

During a media address on Saturday, December 9, at the Press Center, spokesperson Steven Wonder Obour chronicled the events leading up to the clashes in November.

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He mentioned that flyers were circulated by the Akyodes announcing the celebration of their yam festival, which had a history of turning violent.

The Adele and Challa tribes petitioned the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), resulting in an order for the Akyodes to abandon the planned celebration.

The Regional Security Council (REGSEC) also called all factions to a meeting and directed the festival to be put on hold.

Obour claimed that MCE Bright Lenwah clandestinely wrote a letter granting the Akyodes permission to proceed with the celebration, which escalated into the observed violence.

The Adeles and Challas opposed the celebration and petitioned the Chief of Staff, IGP, Interior Minister, and the National Security Minister, citing undertones of the Akyodes celebrating the yam festival as a subtle attempt to assert ownership claims over Nkwanta lands.

Obour stated, “Previous celebrations have always been marred by violence, including killing of people, maiming, and destruction of property.”

“The Union vehemently opposed the 2023 celebration because some victims of the previous year’s violence were still in the mortuary at the time of the intended celebration.”

The Adele Union recommended retaining the curfew and security personnel in the area for some time.

He emphasized that the Adeles are a peace-loving ethnic group with a sincere desire for a peaceful, just, and united community in Nkwanta.

Obour stressed that resolving the land disputes and addressing past grievances is crucial for fostering cooperation among residents in Nkwanta South.