The Ashanti Regional Peace Council has strongly condemned the targeted killings, which claimed the lives of Abdul Malik Azenbe, chief linguist of the Kumasi Kusasi headman and a sub-chief of the Kusaasi Traditional Council at Asawase.
A statement signed by Dr. Harriet Takyi, Ashanti Regional Chairperson, expressed the Council’s sympathy to the bereaved families and commended the Ghana Police Service for their prompt response to the incidents.
The Council urged residents of Asawase and the wider Ashanti Region to remain calm and allow security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the incidents.
It also appealed for grievances to be addressed through peaceful and legal means, cautioning against acts of reprisal or retaliatory violence.
The Council advised against making unguarded statements or drawing premature conclusions linking the attack to ethnic tensions and emphasised that there is no evidence supporting such claims and encouraged citizens to focus on shared goals to foster peaceful coexistence.
The Council expressed concern over the rising proliferation of illegal arms in the region and across the country and called on stakeholders, particularly security agencies, to intensify public education and enforcement efforts to curb illicit arms possession.
The Council emphasised the importance of citizen participation in promoting peace and security while Ghanaians remain vigilant and proactive, utilising the national vigilance campaign slogan “If you see something, say something” in an action-related manner.
The Ashanti Regional Peace Council reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding peace in the Ashanti Region and beyond and urged all citizens to contribute to ensuring safety, unity and national cohesion and to support the ongoing community education Programme on illegal possession of arms and light weapons.
