A longstanding chieftaincy dispute between two sister communities – Asemkow and Butre – in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region has erupted into violent clashes, leaving one person dead, several others injured and hundreds displaced.
The Chief of Butre, Nana Egya Butia, reportedly sustained cutlass wounds during the skirmishes and is currently battling for his life at the Dixcove Hospital.
Several houses at Asemkow have been set ablaze, forcing many residents to flee for their lives. Asemkow is now a ghost village, given the rise in the number of women and children, plus men, who have deserted the once vibrant fishing community.
Information gathered by The Chronicle indicates that the violence stems from a protracted dispute over Asemkow’s bid to separate from Butre as a Divisional Stool.
A group of Asemkow indigenes petitioned the Ahanta Traditional Council (ATC) to recognise Asemkow as an independent community. However, the petition was dismissed.
The group subsequently appealed to the Western Regional House of Chiefs (WRHC), but the appeal was also thrown out, heightening tensions between the two communities.
The situation is said to have reached boiling point on Monday, when the Chief of Butre and his entourage reportedly visited Asemkow.
Their presence reportedly provoked anger among some residents, leading to an attack on the chief and his entourage.
According to security sources, the chief was the target, but he managed to escape, despite sustaining machete injuries on his arm, but one of his aides was killed in the melee.
In retaliation, a group from Butre stormed Asemkow, torching houses and destroying properties. Many families were attacked and displaced as a result.
Sylvester Eshun, a Catechist and resident of Asemkow, narrated his ordeal to reporters.
“My wife, children and mother escaped by canoe. My provision store, hair salon, electrical gadgets, Bible, robes, passport, documents and money, everything has been burnt. I have nothing left apart from the clothes I’m wearing,” he said.
A taxi driver, Sylvester, added that virtually every house in Asemkow had been destroyed, leaving residents homeless and uncertain about their future.
“It’s heartbreaking to see our people turn against each other over matters that could have been resolved peacefully,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the Ahanta West Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) and the Western Regional Police Command have visited the scene. Three persons have been picked up in connection with the incident.
An aide to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) said his boss, together with the Divisional and Regional Police Commanders, assessed the situation on the ground.
National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) he added is also expected to visit to evaluate the extent of the damage and provide relief to affected residents and victims.
