Fresh revelations have emerged regarding the violent altercation over a land issue at Penteng in the Afigya Kwabre North District of the Ashanti Region, as traditional authorities reject earlier claims linking the incident to landguard activities.
The Monday afternoon clash, which left one person severely injured, involved two men identified as Solomon and Yaw Darko, also known as “Macho.”
Initial reports suggested the confrontation was connected to ongoing land disputes in the community.
Yaw Darko is said to have attacked a suspected landguard with a cutlass, severing his hand and causing severe injuries, following repeated demolition of his building by the landguards, despite his claims of possessing the required permits.
However, speaking to the media, Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapor, who also serves as Akyeamehene of the Nkwanta-Patase Divisional Council, dismissed those assertions as misleading and unfounded.
He explained that the destruction of the building and the burning of the house happened at Penteng, whereas the clash occurred in Patase.
The Akyeamehene of the Nkwanta-Patase Divisional Council said the individuals, including the victim, Solomon, are not landguards but rather bodyguards who normally escort Otumfuo’s Sasaamo to events.
Although he acknowledged that there is a land dispute, preliminary findings by the traditional council suggest that the incident was triggered by a disagreement over a woman, rather than any land-related conflict, as widely speculated.
“We are aware that there is an ongoing land dispute, but our investigation indicates that the conflict was primarily driven by a disagreement over a woman. Further details have emerged that Macho had taken Solomon’s girlfriend, which led to the violence in Patase. If the issue had indeed been related to the land dispute, it is logical to expect that the clash would have occurred at the boundary of Penteng and Papatia, the location of the land in question.”
He stated the violence was not related to a land dispute or actions of landguards, recalling that the Asantehene has cautioned all his chiefs against employing landguards.
“Asantehene has issued a warning to all chiefs within his jurisdiction, advising against the employment of landguards. In light of this, Otumfuo Sasaamo is unlikely to defy his king’s directive by deploying landguards for land protection purposes,” he said.
Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapo revealed that Solomon, who sustained injuries during the confrontation, is presently undergoing medical care at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Meanwhile, Yaw Darko, also known as “Macho,” has not been located.
He denounced the act of burning down Macho’s family house, which he characterized as an act of revenge. It is believed that the perpetrators, who are still unidentified, have connections to Solomon.
Nana Nyansapor has called on law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough probe into the matter to ensure justice is served, while urging the public to disregard misinformation surrounding the incident.
The clarification by traditional leaders is expected to ease tensions in the community, particularly following initial fears of a possible escalation linked to landguard activities.
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