Gunshots at Kumawu, 9 arrested

Nine people among hundreds of celebrants of Akwasidae festival at Kumawu in the Ashanti Region were detained on Sunday after pitched battles with police that left more than 10 people injured.

Police personnel drafted to the area had fired tear gas and gunshots in the air to disperse a crowd of supporters belonging to one of the rival chiefs from pouring into the streets in apparent violation of the Public Order Act that the security officers sought to enforce, causing pandemonium.

Security was tightened last week Monday ahead of the Akwasidae celebration following the installation of another paramount chief for the area, one John Akwasi Oduro, 56.

Three embattled chiefs of the Kumawu Traditional Area – Nana Akwasi Baffoe II, Akwamuhene, Nana Sarfo Agyekum II, Aduanahene and Nana Okyere Krapah, Akyempemhene – installed the telecommunication technician as the new chief of Kumawu, even though the area already had a chief.

He was given the stool name Twereboa Kodua V, and was working with the British Royal Mill, Post High Grade, in London.

Dr Emmanuel Yaw Kantanka Sarfo-Asante, 47, had already been installed the paramount chief of the area with the stool name Barima Sarfo Twereboa Kodua.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong, said the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) acknowledged the potential threat to peace and stability and accordingly deployed a team of police officers to take control of the area.

Apprehension enveloped the traditional community as the stand-off escalated during the first Akwasidae celebration for 2015, with residents and celebrants taking to their heels to seek refuge.

This was when the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowd, who were mostly supporters of the rival chief, Barima Twereboa Kodua, when they tried to parade their chief through the streets.

The crowd also threw stones and other missiles at the police who responded with more tear gas and gunshots, sending people helter-skelter.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that many people were injured as a result.

ACP Ampofo Duku, Ashanti Regional Deputy Police Commander, who led a team of police officers to Kumawu, said Barima Tweneboah Koduah V and his followers were asked to celebrate the Akwasidae indoors.

According to him, this directive was adhered to until the new chief’s supporters decided to take him to his residence at Bodomase, a suburb of Kumawu, without notifying the police.

The police, in attempt to prevent a possible clash between supporters of the two chiefs, fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Residents said many people were injured in the process of fleeing from the scene as they rammed into each other in stampede.