Ethnic Tensions Fuel More Shootings in Nkwanta South
Two Konkomba youths, Ujakpa Nakoja and Niyasangma Joseph, were shot by unknown gunmen at Abrewankor junction in Nkwanta South, Oti Region, on June 30, 2025, escalating ongoing ethnic violence. The victims, from Pawa, were rushed to St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Village, where they remain in critical condition, as reported by GhanaWeb on July 1.
The shootings follow deadly clashes that killed three Nkwanta SHS students on June 26 and 27, prompting the Ghana Education Service to close the school. The violence, tied to disputes among the Adele, Challa, and Akyode groups, has left seven dead overall, turning Nkwanta into a ghost town with schools and businesses shut.
Konkomba leaders, including Dr. Joshua Makubu, former Oti Regional Minister, and Kpassa-Wura Ubor Tassan Konja VI, urged calm and restraint, asking communities to let police handle the situation. Eight suspects have been arrested, and security has been boosted with patrols and checkpoints to restore order.
The clashes, sparked by a banned Yam Festival ritual, have raised fears of more violence. Oti Regional Minister DSP Daniel Machator and police are working to trace missing persons and prevent further attacks. Residents are calling for dialogue to end the cycle of ethnic conflict.
With Nkwanta South under strain, authorities are pushing for peace talks. The government has vowed to ensure safety, but the community remains tense, hoping for lasting solutions to stop the bloodshed and protect lives.