By Daniel Bampoe
In the wake of violent clashes that rocked Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region over the weekend, Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri and Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has called for a thorough investigation into the incident, citing deep-seated chieftaincy disputes as the underlying cause.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, May 28, the MP described the situation as tragic, regrettable, and a potential flashpoint for further conflict if left unaddressed.
The town of Adoagyiri, was plunged into chaos over the weekend in a violent confrontation between rival groups.
The altercation resulted in the death of a young man, 28-year-old Isaah Masawudu, and left at least four others with varying degrees of injuries.
Several shops, vehicles, and market stalls were vandalized or set ablaze.
Terrified residents captured footage of the rampage, which quickly circulated on social media, revealing the scale and brutality of the unrest.
Annoh-Dompreh, whose constituency encompasses the affected area, said he was in immediate contact with security agencies upon receiving news of the disturbances.
“Having hindsight of the extent to which such disturbances could go, I sought urgent intervention from our state security agencies,” he told Parliament.
He urged the Ghana Police Service, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to intensify efforts to prevent the situation from escalating.
Chieftaincy Disputes at the Heart of the Crisis
In his statement, Annoh-Dompreh traced the root of the conflict to longstanding chieftaincy tensions that have plagued Adoagyiri for over a decade.
He referenced violent episodes as far back as 2007 and a particularly deadly incident in August 2023, where two people were killed over a similar dispute.
According to the MP, recent hostilities were sparked by an attack on a young man, allegedly linked to one of the rival groups, which triggered a chain reaction of retaliations.
“These tensions between the Adoagyiri and Zongo communities are not new,” he explained.
“The township has for years been bedeviled by disputes over chieftaincy titles, which, though sometimes dormant, flare up in deadly confrontations like the one we just witnessed.”
Armed Suspect Arrested
As part of efforts to restore order, the Eastern South Regional Police Command conducted a security sweep that led to the arrest of a key suspect.
Abdul Rauf Salami, a resident of Adoagyiri Zongo, was apprehended on Friday, May 23, at a police checkpoint. Authorities seized two pump-action shotguns, 64 rounds of AA ammunition, a cutlass, and other weapons in his possession.
The arrest, according to the police, is part of a broader operation to quell the violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
ASP Foster Owusu, spokesperson for the regional command, confirmed that more arrests are expected.
“This is an ongoing operation. The suspect in custody is helping us with investigations, and we are following leads to apprehend others involved,” he said.
The violence had escalated earlier in the week after Masawudu’s death, when angry youth believed to be affiliated with the Zongo community staged reprisal attacks.
By Thursday, over 300 individuals had taken to the streets, blocking roads and destroying property. Business activity came to a halt, and fearful residents were forced to stay indoors.
Annoh-Dompreh lauded the swift response of the Eastern South Regional Police and national security authorities, especially the intervention by Interior Minister and National Security Coordinator, Muhammad Mubarak Muntaka.
The deployment of a special unit from the National Police Headquarters and the Formed Police Unit (FPU) helped stabilize the situation by Thursday evening.
However, the MP emphasized that restoring peace should not be seen as a conclusion but the beginning of deeper, long-term solutions.
“We must take a forceful approach to rid the community of these volatile, secretive threats and prevent further loss of life,” he said.
He called for an enhanced security architecture that includes intelligence-led operations and sustained collaboration between traditional leaders, security agencies, and local government authorities.
“This House must not only deliberate on the immediate events but address the root causes that have made these towns vulnerable to cyclical violence,” he added.
Closing his statement, Annoh-Dompreh appealed to the people of Nsawam-Adoagyiri to remain calm and allow the security services to complete their work.
“Let us not forget that we are one people. The peace and stability of our community is our collective responsibility,” he said, adding that reconciliation efforts would be essential to ensure long-term harmony.
