4 killed, others critically injured in Agona Abodom chieftaincy dispute

Four persons have been killed and several others have sustained serious injuries after the escalation of a long-standing chieftancy dispute in Agona Abodom in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region.

The clash between people suspected to be landguards and residents of the community has also resulted in vandalism and the destruction of property. Police deployed to the community have conveyed the four bodies suspected to be members of the landguards and the injured people to the hospital.

The police have also rescued some landguards from being lynched by the angry youth of the town. The Goma Abodom community has battled chiefancy issues for decades. Earlier this year, a chief was installed despite opposition from some people within the community.

The recent attack occurred during the celebration of the Akwanbo Festival, which brought together the chiefs and the people of the community. An opposing claimant to the stool allegedly mobilised landguards to create confusion, which escalated into a brutal clash.

Residents have expressed concerns about the growing tension in the community. Assemblyman for the Agona Abodom Electoral Area, Alex Donkor, has called for enhanced security in the community, saying that the situation is getting out of hand.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang