The Begoro District Police command on Sunday intervened to avert bloody clashes at Dedeso-Wireko Community between Krobo residents and Akyem Begoro Traditional Council.
There was simmering tension at Dedeso-Wireko VRA Resettlement Community in Fanteakwa North District in Eastern Region after news broke that the regent of Akyem Begoro Traditional Area Nana Bosompem Ayirepe II will storm the Community with his armed thugs and traditional entourage to celebrate Akwasidae on Sunday in the disputed community.
According to the locals, last week, the acting Chief sent painters to the community under an armed police guard to renovate the palace as part of the preparation for the Akwasidae celebration.
However, intelligent information gathered indicated that residents of Dedeso -Wireko VRA resettlement Community who are predominantly Krobos threatened to stop the traditional council from performing the Akwasidae on the disputed land.
They therefore armed themselves in readiness to prevent the exercise.
Some women and children already deserted the Community to seek refuge.
The Begoro Police Commander led a contingent of armed police officers to the Dedeso -Wireko Community to address the Community leaders to remain calm.
Dedeso-Wireko is a VRA resettlement community on 8,700.24KM land acquired by the government in 1969 through Executive Instrument (EI.54).
However, the regent of Akyem Begoro Traditional Council Nana Bosompem Ayirepe II says the area was not properly acquired by the state therefore the Traditional Council will reclaim the land.
The protracted land dispute has resulted in many bloody clashes whenever the chief storm the area with armed thugs to carry out any activity.
Already, fourteen (14) residents are standing trial at the Koforidua Circuit Court for conspiracy, causing harm, and causing damage.
The accused persons are Michael Teye Sackey, a Teacher, Randolph Tetteh, Teacher, Samuel Batsa, farmer, and Simon Tetteh, also a farmer.
The rest of the accused persons are Richard Naakah, teacher, Bedasu Kofi Livingston, farmer, Francis Mausor, farmer, Osom Akwetey, Alex Tetteh Bio, Alex Tetteh bio, Partey Ben, Emmanuel Ahuble, Asare Kofi, Klodu Frederick, and Samuel Agbeitor all farmers
However, the 15th accused person Bullet is still at large.
Prosecuting Officer Chief Inspector Owusu Ababio said, On June 26, 2021, at about 9:0am, the regent of Begoro traditional area mobilized a group of thugs numbering about 20 from Begoro, Apaa, and Nsawam communities armed them with his pump-action gun and cutlasses, hired a Nissan Mini truck with registration number GW 1551-21 and two motorbikes and delegated one Nana Barffuor Bimpong to take them onto the disputed land at Perteifoo junction in Dedeso-Wireko.
On reaching Abuorso police station, Nana Baffour Bimpong Kwakye requested for police escort which Constable Kinni Daniel was detailed to escort the group.
The Chief asked the armed men to take the lead as he went to Dedeso Police station to request more police officers.
The group upon reaching Ashaiman Kope a village near Dedeso met three Krobo residents on a motorbike which they identified the rider as one of the people claiming ownership of the disputed land during their previous visit hence jumped off the truck and started beating them.
The Krobo inhabitants on hearing the incident mobilized and armed themselves with guns and cutlasses and rushed to the scene to fight the thugs.
They outnumbered the thugs, brutalized, and inflicted multiple cutlass wounds on two of the thugs namely Godfred Blewusi, 29, and Stephen Tetteh,28. The rioting residents drove two Hyundai mini Trucks to block the road and subsequently set fire into it.
They also allegedly ransacked a room belonging to Abu Madam a farmworker for the regent of Begoro and allegedly stole Ghc15,000.
The accused persons are on Ghc70,000 bail.
The judge adjourned the case to February 7, 2022, and advised the prosecution to build a proper case stating that the current charge sheet does not support the facts nor does it indict the accused persons.
Meanwhile, the docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s department for advice.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
