Ahanta west: Six months after a violent clash between the Asemko and Butre communities in the Ahanta West Municipality, Mr. Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, announced that 11 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. The clash resulted in the death of 45-year-old John Ekow Abban and left several others injured, including the Chief of Butre, Nana Egya Butsia X.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Nelson, who also serves as the Chairman for the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC), visited the Butre community to update the chief and residents on the case. He pledged his commitment to ensuring that all individuals involved in the incident are brought to justice. Mr. Nelson stated, "As we speak, 11 individuals have been arrested and are in police custody assisting with investigations, and interestingly, the last suspect was apprehended in C´te d'Ivoire."
The arrests, Mr. Nelson emphasized, demonstrate REGSEC's commitment to addressing the matter diligently. "We have our eyes wide open and we are determined to bring anyone who had a hand in this case to justice," he added.
Nana Egya Butsia X, the Chief of Butre, urged the government to establish a security post in the area to prevent future conflicts. He expressed concern over the current security system, stating, "My elders, the security forces, and I are doing our best to protect lives and property, but the truth is, we are working with a weak security system."
The Chief highlighted the challenges faced by residents, who must travel to the Municipal capital to report crimes, often delaying response times. He called for a permanent security post to be established in the area to help prevent such incidents in the future.
Residents echoed the Chief's sentiments, reiterating the need for a local security post to protect them and their property from future violent incidents.