Tension mounts between Kusasis, Mamprusis over disputed land

Bawku (U/E), June 7, GNA - Tension is mounting between Kusasis and Mamprusis over a 23-year-old disputed farmland at Zabugu near Bawku but the security agencies said the situation was under control. Whereas the Kusasis laid claim to the land and said it was their ancestral heritage and regard the Mamprusis as settlers, the Mamprusis also claim that it was bequeathed to their forefathers for protecting the Kusasis a century ago.

The dispute led to the Minyila Committee in 1984 that recommended that the two factions should not work on the disputed land till a workable solution was found that would be acceptable to both parties. Last Friday, a group of Mamprusis went to the disputed land with a tractor ostensibly to cultivate the land and this nearly resulted into a clash but the security agencies moved in to maintain calm. The Municipal Security Committee, in conjunction with the Regional Police Command, organized a meeting between Bawku Naba Abugrago Asigri Azoka II and the head of the Mamprusis to diffuse the tension. A fact-finding team including the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ofosu Mensah Gyeabuor, personnel from the Land Valuation Board, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the two factions visited the disputed land to assess the situation. Chief Superintendent Peterkin Gyinae, the Bawku Divisional Police Commander, confirmed the incident but said the security services were monitoring the situation.

He said any instigator who worsened the situation would be made to face the full rigours of the law and appealed to the factions to respect the recommendations of the Minyila Committee. Mr Gyinae said three persons were arrested and released on bail whilst the tractor was impounded and later released.