The Paramount Chief and President of Akyode Traditional Area, Nana Obonbo Sewurah Lupowura II, today Tuesday April 22, 2025 led a delegation of chiefs from the Traditional Area to pay a courtesy call on the Oti Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong to welcome him to the region and reassure him of their commitment to help in developing the Oti region.
According to the Chief, Hon. Gyapong is a father for all and called on the minister to intervene in the Nkwanta dispute to ensure amicable solution. He said the conflict is not about chieftaincy or land disputes but the act of some unscrupulous individuals trying to disturb the peace in the area. Read More
“Our conflict is not about chieftaincy disputes or land disputes; the parties would have sought redress from the legitimate authorities,” he said.
The chief explained that the development started as a result of a festival which had always been celebrated until the unscrupulous individuals decided to disagree.
He revealed how some criminal gangs are making monies from the shooting and killing and burning houses in the area and proposed a neutral body to engage both parties.
He blamed the law enforcement agencies for not providing enough security to protect lives and properties in the area.
He proposed to the minister to summon the parties involved in the matter for a roundtable discussion to allow all to bring their grievances to bring to the disturbances to a logical conclusion for peace to prevail.
The Regional Minister, Hon John Kwadwo Gyapong, lauded the chiefs for calling on him and commended them for their efforts towards peace building in the area.
He indicated that elders are not much involved in the disturbances but the youth. He observed the presence of enough security personnel would have averted the challenges.
Hon. Gyapong assured the chiefs of his commitment to taking steps to resolve the conflict in Nkwanta South Municipality to allow peace and tranquillity.
He said the recent development is a disgrace to the municipality and needed to be looked at with speed.
He recounted how investors from Netherlands had expressed interest in executing project in Nkwanta South but had to withdraw their interest due to the disturbance in the area.
He said the conflict is derailing the development of the area and called on both parties to lay down their arms and smoke the peace pipe.
He observed “if the observation of a festival would disturb the peace of the area and lead to loss of lives, then the chiefs should cease the festival celebrations. We’ll not allow festival to bring down development in Nkwanta; festivals are rather meant to bring development. I will convene a congress for all youth in Nkwanta for the sake of peace in the area” he said.
He announced that the conflict had taken a heavy toll on the resources of the Municipal Assembly making it extremely difficult for the Assembly to honour her commitments.
Present at the engagement included the Oti Regional Coordinating Director, Rev Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, Nkwanta South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Joseph Antwi, and some other staff of the Coordinating Council. The rest are, Nana Bayan Asanyo III, Bamuhene of Akyode Traditional Area; Okyeame Dare Kwaku, Okyeame Anasan Kyerewura, Nkwanta Queen mother, Nana Atabaso Obonmelesu; Abrewankor Junction Queen mother, Nana Atogesen; Nana Atabaso Anetoge and Peter Ntasah, Akyode National Youth president.
