A group of 12 Black Americans, comprising six women and six men, were taken into custody in the Nkwanta South area of the Oti Region.
They were apprehended while en route from Sokodé, Togo to Odomi-Challa, reportedly as part of a travel group.
The circumstances surrounding their arrest are currently unclear, and it is unknown what charges, if any, they may be facing.
The group of Black Americans had embarked on a heritage tour, aiming to reconnect with their ancestral heritage and explore their historical roots.
Their journey was intended to be a cultural and emotional pilgrimage, allowing them to discover and experience the traditions, customs, and landscapes of their ancestors.
By traveling to various locations, including Sokodé in Togo and Odomi-Challa, they hoped to gain a deeper understanding of their ancestral origins and forge a stronger connection to their cultural identity.
However, the timing of their mission raised concerns due to tension in the municipality, leading to their arrest.
Local residents have been on high alert, fueled by concerns that certain individuals from the community may be recruiting external help to further their interests in the ongoing dispute.
There are suspicions that some tribe members may be bringing in outsiders to bolster their position, which has led to a heightened sense of unease and vigilance among community members.
As a result, people in the area are being cautious and closely monitoring the situation, amid fears that the involvement of external parties could escalate the conflict and pose a threat to the community’s safety and stability.
The travelers, who were reportedly in search of their family histories, were detained by residents in a nearby community under suspicion of being part of a rising trend of individuals seeking to reconnect with the ongoing unrest.
Despite the group’s assurances that their visit was driven by a desire to explore their cultural heritage and personal roots, the local community remained apprehensive about the potential consequences of their presence.
The travelers were rescued through the timely intervention of the police and were very cooperative, explaining their purpose and sharing stories of their ancestors who had been displaced during the transatlantic slave trade.
Items retrieved included mats, personal belongings, a mobile canopy tent, travel passports, and other valuables.
Speaking with the media, the Nkwanta South Sector Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, Chief Superintendent Philip Gyekye Ninfa, said no illegality was detected.
He stated that the travelers had all the necessary documentation en route to Ghana for their activities.
However, on their way to Odomi, some individuals who suspected them to be warriors brought from Togo to fight in the ongoing conflict blocked the road to deny them access.
In an effort to reassure the community, the immigration commander appealed for calm and understanding, emphasizing that the group of Black Americans were not intruders or a threat to the local population.
He sought to alleviate the concerns and fears of the residents, explaining that the visitors’ presence was entirely unrelated to the ongoing conflict and that they posed no risk to the community’s safety or stability.
By clarifying the group’s peaceful intentions and lack of involvement in the dispute, the commander aimed to diffuse tensions and prevent any potential escalation of the situation, instead promoting a sense of calm and normalcy in the area.
