A long-standing chieftaincy dispute in Abodom, in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region, has turned deadly following violent clashes between rival factions.
The confrontation, which erupted during the Akwanbo Festival, reportedly left three people dead and at least ten others critically injured. According to eyewitness accounts, an opposing claimant to the Abodom stool allegedly mobilized landguards to disrupt the celebration, sparking chaos and violence.
The clashes also resulted in significant property damage, including the torching of two vehicles and the vandalism of parts of the chief’s palace.
Police have since deployed personnel to restore calm in the area. Meanwhile, the local Assemblyman, Alex Donkor, is appealing for urgent military and additional police reinforcement to help secure lives and property.
The chieftaincy dispute, which has spanned over 45 years, had seen a period of relative calm after the installation of a new chief earlier this year but tensions have clearly reignited.
