Reports: King Amoah
A palpable wind of unrest is blowing through Nkwanta-South in the Oti Region, as disillusioned youth driven to the brink by decades of unresolved land disputes and perceived injustice have issued a chilling warning
The warning reads: we are ready to die. Their desperate actions stem from what they describe as a long-standing, contentious land litigation that authorities have allegedly failed to resolve, thus jeopardizing peaceful coexistence in the area.
At the heart of this brewing crisis is a contentious land litigation spanning over 40 years pitting the Charlla, Addella, and Konkoma groups against the Achella group.
According to Mr. Peter Ntasah, President of the Nkwanta-South Youth Association, the Achella group has long been recognized as the rightful owners of the disputed land with the other factions allegedly emerging onto the land more recently.
Mr. Ntasah laments that despite the long history of confusion, the situation is now spiraling out of control.
He asserts that the youth have attempted to mediate for peace, but their efforts have been allegedly frustrated by authorities who “suspiciously politicize the issue to the disadvantage of the residents within the area.
In a desperate attempt to find resolution, the Nkwanta-South Youth Association forwarded a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) approximately five months ago.
However, the youth allege that the administration has deliberately stalled the resolution of the critical case, thus exacerbating tensions and risking fratricidal violence.
When contacted about their petition CHRAJ officials reportedly informed the youth that the matter had been forwarded to the District Police Command of the Nkwanta-South, which was given a timeline to initiate investigations.
Mr. Ntasah expressed deep frustration by stating that we have contacted various sources for their intervention into the land dispute but it appears our area is not part of the country as our petitions are treated with contempt.
The youth’s despair is palpable, culminating in their stark warning: “Our case is simple as we want peace but not violence but from what is going on if our anger runs out Ghana will not witness peace just like what is happening in Bawku and Mamprusi.
In a passionate plea, the youth are appealing directly to President John Dramani Mahama himself for his sharp intervention before an unexpected [event] happened.
Efforts to reach relevant officials of CHRAJ in Nkwanta-South for their side of the story proved futile, as they were unavailable for comment, and then junior staffers declined to speak, citing official rules.
Stay tuned for further updates on this critical developing situation.
Picture attached:Mr Peter Ntasah President of the Youth Association of Nkwanta -South.
