Nearly 200 individuals have fled Nkwanta to seek refuge in Pampawie, Ahamansu, and other areas within the Kadjebi District following renewed clashes in Nkwanta, the administrative hub of the Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly.

The neighboring Kadjebi District has become a sanctuary for those escaping the unrest.

Madam Agnes Afua Obour, a linguist and community leader in Pampawie, revealed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that some of the displaced had requested assistance to facilitate their journey. “We sent them money to help them relocate, and many reached here late Friday,” she said, stressing the urgency of the situation and calling for a unified effort to resolve the conflict.

In Ahamansu, Assemblyman Hussein Abdulai reported that displaced persons arrived over several days, including Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. He is currently compiling a list of those fleeing the violence for an official report.

An eyewitness in Nkwanta, speaking anonymously, recounted how the violence erupted during a burial at the cemetery. Armed individuals arrived unexpectedly and opened fire, forcing mourners to flee. “Thankfully, the burial had been completed, so we managed to escape unharmed,” the witness said.

Reports indicate that the violence has claimed seven lives, with eight houses and shops burned to the ground.

Cletus Chevure, the Kadjebi District Coordinating Director, stated that he had yet to receive official communication regarding the displaced persons. Similarly, Superintendent of Police Frank Nana Asomaning, the Kadjebi District Police Commander, confirmed hearing reports of people fleeing but noted that no formal information had reached him.

The once-busy streets of Nkwanta are now eerily empty, with only security forces visible. Military personnel in armored vehicles have established positions across the town, with others conducting patrols.

Residents have expressed mixed feelings about the military’s presence. While some see it as a step toward restoring peace, others worry it may result in abuses.

The GNA observed several pregnant women, visibly distressed, making their way through bushes to escape the chaos. One of them, Madam Serwaa Afia Twumasi, spoke tearfully: “I’m scared for my life and the life of my unborn child.”

The violence stems from a long-standing dispute over the ownership of Nkwanta, involving the Akyode, Adele, and Challa ethnic groups, which continues to fuel the conflict.