The perennial conflict at the Nkwanta South District of the Oti Region has reared its ugly head again with several casualties and fatalities. As we speak now, there is heavy military and police presence who are trying to maintain peace and order. The situation has put the place in a state of anarchy and pandemonium, with residents fleeing helter skelter to neighbouring communities in search of safety.
We, the Challa Youth Association (CYA), wish to unequivocally state that the overall cause of the conflict should be laid at the doorsteps of the Akyode tribe.
Contrary to the above, the Akyodes in search of solace have resorted to the social media where they are spreading falsehood, thereby putting the blame on all the other tribes in the area, including the Challas, Adeles, Kotokolis, Konkombas, Ewes, Basares, Chorkorsis etc. Interestingly, all these tribes have received their fare share of fatalities resulting from the attacks of the Akyode tribe.They have also shifted the blame to the security agencies and the ruling NDC government, which is very unfortunate.
We, therefore, by this press release, wish to put the records straight by exposing some of the nefarious crimes committed by the Akyodes over time, against the Challas and other tribes in the Nkwanta South Minicipality leading us to where we are now.
They have also adopted diversionary tactics by mixing crime with politics. These they do by putting the blame on the security agencies and the ruling NDC government, which is very unfortunate. This has been their tactics throughout the conflict even under the eswhile NPP government.
1. In 1997, Akyodes attacked and vandalized Nkwanta police station, injured Inspector Newman and L/C George.
These people, Atabaso Sammy, Danso, Mr. Otuo and others who are all Akyodes were arrested.
2. In 2006, Akyodes attacked and killed about 3 Game and Wildlife officers at the Kyabobo National Park.
3. In 2015, Akyodes attacked and Killed Nkwanta South DCE Hon. Peter Kwadwo Kenyinso.
John Nana Osei, Kofi Lenwah and others were arrested and sent to Accra for over a year, all were Akyodes.
4. In 2019, Akyodes attacked residents of Krontang Sabon community and destroyed their homes.
John Nana Osei, Kofi Lenwah, Cee Dorlar and others were arrested.
5. Between 2017 and 2021, Akyodes have always been fighting with Konkombas at Bonakye and Nyarkoma communities within the Nkwanta south municipality.
6. Since 2010 till date, Akyodes and Challas at Keri never saw peace.
7. In 2022, Akyodes attacked and killed 1 Adele man, 1 Basari man, shot 1 Kabre man whose arm is amputated now, injured Kotokoli man, Loso man, Konkomba man Ntrubo man and Ewe woman.
John Nana Osei, Kofi Lenwah and Cee Dorlar were arrested
In 2023, there was another conflict between Akyodes on one side and Adeles and Challas on the other side.
Norbert Ajapong, Kwasi Alornuse, C- dollar and others all akyode were arrested for the killing of a young national service personnel,Gewugede Denis, who was brutally murdered in cold blood by akyode.
They killed Mr. Agoji and one other Challa man popularly called ” capii” who were returning from their farms.
But later all the arrested criminals to our amazement were freed and walking freely in the community.
In September 2024, when Challa were celebrating their annual abotodii (yam festival) at Keri, akyode attacked them leading to one Konkomba man sustaining serious head injury. That man is still struggling to fully recover till date.
Just recently when Nkwanta was enjoying some calmness, akyode went and set two separate houses belonging to Challa ablaze. Houses that belong to Mr. Achinaki Alidu and one Mr Tafa rendering them and their families homeless.
Challa decided not retaliate because we didn’t want to destroy the return of the peace we were all yearning for.
In early January 2025, a man, Zamrama by tribe died and was to be buried at the nkwanta cemetery.
At the cemetery, one akyode man, popularly known as 5 star went firing at them.
People had to run for their lives.
As if that wasn’t enough, on Thursday ,17th January 2025 in the evening around 5:15pm the akyode people who were fully armed started shooting and killing people indiscriminately.
They killed all manner of persons other than theirs leading to the deaths of 2 kotokoli, 1 chokosi, 1 Ewe leaving many injured receiving treatment at the hospital.
They burned and destroyed a lot of houses and properties.
It took the timely intervention of the security to calm the situation.
The security discovered fire weapons and explosives in the house of the former MCE, Bright Lenwah’s, who himself is akyode and arrested some criminals with fire arms who are brothers of the said MCE
The people of akyode have been the people behind the heinous killings and brutality in Nkwanta since time immemorial.
Even when NPP was in power, it was akyode that was arrested in connection to the happenings in Nkwanta.
Truth is bitter but it is certainly the only panacea to the challenges in Nkwanta.
The Nkwanta conflict seems unending because akyode is unrepentant liar.
It is not surprising when the Boss of National Security mentioned that you were firing back at them.
Unrepentant braggarts who have no respect for state institutions like the National Security.
They fabricate stories to favor themselves and to win public favor.
Your Chiefs and leaders have the resources to buy pump action guns and explosives to make you murderers but lack the resources to help you better your lives.
The other tribes are only being defensive.
One may be tempted to ask this question ” how is it possible for all other tribes to rise against akyode if they are indeed clean as they claim?”
There are some well meaning akyode people who are living peacefully among Challa and Adele even in the heat of the conflict today.
They know their people are behind all the unwarranted attacks in Nkwanta but are scared to voice it for fear of being killed by their own people.
It is very comical and unfortunate to see all the fruitless efforts of akyode on social media trying every means possible to paint one clean and innocent man ,SURAJ, black.
Well, it depends on the angle where you stand to judge him. To akyode SURAJ is evil but to the many other tribes in Nkwanta, SURAJ is a saviour.
Suraj is only evil to those who hate the truth. The fire weapons and explosives were not found with Suraj but were discovered in the room of a so called Reverend father Lenwah’s room, who is brother to the former MCE.
Challa is not surprised at all the lies of akyode against Suraj because light and darkness have nothing in common.
Darkness ( akyode) will always detest truth ( Suraj)
Nana Sei, ( akyode )driver to the former MCE, in a broad day light killed one Basare man who was brother to Suraj. As if that was not enough, on one Monday afternoon, Ajapong ( akyode) killed ” Rasta” who was Suraji’s closest friend.
The criminals, Nana Sei and Ajapong have been freed and walking about freely in town and you say Suraj is talking too much?
You want him to sit aloof for your evil men to kill him too?
You shameless murderers. God and our ancestors have eyes you.
You will pay for all the innocent souls you waisted.
If we are to pay akyode back in their own coin, Nkwanta would not be a peaceful place to live.
But as a peace loving people who have co – existed peacefully with other tribes without a single record of criminality have decided to let go to give peace a chance.
Akyode have taken our peaceful nature for granted and are now facing the wrath of God.
God is peaceful
Challa is peaceful
God is Challa.
Thank you.
CC: All media Houses
Call: O556949644
Signed: Nana Odiasempa, The PRO CHAYA
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