The Adele community in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region has dissociated themselves from the recent violent clashes in the area and has accused security forces of using excessive force against members of the Guan Akyode communities. According to opinion leaders of the Adele, their people have remained peaceful and uninvolved in the conflict, yet the situation has been worsened by the actions of security personnel.
According to the Adele leaders, the shooting, killing, and burning of houses in Akyodes were perpetrated by security officers, not by the Adeles, Challas, or any civilians, as previously speculated.
Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Neat FM, Mr Antwi Vicent, Mr Steven Wonder & Madam Kpolar Margaret, leaders of the Adele community stated that their people should not be linked to the ongoing disturbances. They alleged that police and military officers have rather stormed Guan Akyode communities, where they are reported to have carried out brutal operations resulting in injuries, fear, and alleged loss of lives.
“The Adele people are not involved in this conflict,” a spokesperson emphasized. “We are peace-loving and law-abiding. Unfortunately, instead of restoring calm, the security personnel have used excessive force in Guan Akyode areas, causing more harm than good.”
The Adele leadership expressed concern that the security approach has deepened fear and tension among residents instead of de-escalating the situation. They called on the government and security agencies to adopt a more measured, just, and community-sensitive strategy that ensures the safety of all civilians.
In a related development, the Akyode community is appealing to H.E President John Dramani Mahama, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to, as a matter of urgency, withdraw the police and military from Nkwanta. They believe the current security presence is aggravating the crisis rather than resolving it.
According to them, sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue, the involvement of traditional leaders, and a commitment to fairness. They maintain that military-style crackdowns are inappropriate and risk escalating tensions across the municipality.
Both the Adele and Akyode communities are urging the government to conduct an impartial investigation into the conduct of the security personnel. They are also calling for immediate intervention to protect innocent civilians and to restore peace and trust among the ethnic groups in the area.
