By: Jeremiah Nutsugah
The Member of Parliament for Wa West and Member of the Defense and Interior Committee of Parliament, Peter Lanchene Toobu, has clarified that the security deployment to Nkwanta South for peace and order is a temporary measure, not a permanent one.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on January 3, 2024, the Member of Parliament explained that the 2000 soldiers and 5000 Policemen deployed to the area, is to create an enabling environment for the government to find a proper solution to curb the ongoing dispute in Nkwanta South.
“What the security does – you can put 2000 soldiers and 5000 policemen there, and what they do is to create an enabling environment for the government to look for a solution. The enabling environment is temporary, and when the character of this environment continues for 10 years, every amount of money required for development in Nkwanta South will be used for security,” he stated.
He added that the people of Nkwanta South know who is wrong and who is right, and since they have not voiced it out, it is now creating stress for the security agencies.
“When the truth doesn’t exist, security agencies suffer stress, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that the government stands on its toes and tells the people of Nkwanta South, and very particularly the paramount chief who happens to be the president of the Oti Region House of Chiefs.”
The Member of the Defense and Interior Committee of Parliament also criticized the Regional House of Chiefs for not ejecting a particular chief from their field, as that chief seems to be contributing to the conflict. He emphasized that the House of Chiefs has the right to do so.
He further stated that if people are complicit in one way or another in the conflict, then the person or whoever they are doesn’t have what is required to be in a good habitat. He urged His Excellency The President, Nana Akufo-Addo to look into the Regional House of Chiefs if they can’t perform their duties well.
Background
The Ministry of the Interior imposed a curfew on Nkwanta township in the Oti Region following a shooting incident that claimed six lives and left many others injured and hospitalized.
According to a statement released by the Ministry, the curfew took effect on Tuesday, November 21 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am in the Nkwanta South Municipality.
As part of the curfew, the Ministry has also placed a ban on carrying arms and ammunition as well as other offensive weapons within the catchment area, warning anyone found in violation would be arrested and prosecuted.
On Monday, November 21, 2023, a shooting incident occurred leaving six people dead, with residents fleeing for their lives and leaving behind a ghost town.
6 people died, 5 hospitalized, with residents fleeing after the shooting incident at Nkwanta South
Five more people, including a Police Officer, were critically injured from gunshot wounds sustained during the shootout and were receiving treatment at the Nkwanta St. Joseph Catholic Hospital.
Recently
One person died with four others injured following renewed clashes in Nkwanta South of the Oti region. The deceased who is said to be a farmer was shot in his farm on Monday.
The second incident occurred on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 with the victims identified as head potters.
Two of them who are in critical condition have been referred to the Nkwanta Municipal Government Hospital for further treatment.
