'War' breaks in North Gonja over disputed lands

There was sporadic firing of gunshots between residents of Wasipe and Tampulma traditional areas in North Gonja in the Northern region, GhanaWeb’s Northern Regional correspondent confirms.

The incident which ensued yesterday January 13, 2018, over disputed lands had one adjoining community, Disa, burnt into ashes by the people of Daboya, a community in Wasipe.

Efforts by police who arrived at the scene to restore calm proved futile, and it is still unclear whether the gunshots have claimed any lives.

The whole incident started after Wasipewura, the paramount chief for the Wasipe traditional area charged his local committee to demand royalties from the Tampulma residents, who they claimed are dwelling on their land.

Tampulmas who were angered by the move took as hostages of some people of Daboya.

The gunshots started after the Daboyas launched a reprisal attack to free their people.

Shooting intensified as Gonjas across Gonjaland were dispatched to support the people of Wasipe against Tampulmas.

GhanaWeb’s check this morning revealed that the Tampulmas have deserted their communities, turning the town into a ‘ghost town’.