Heavily armed security personnel have been deployed at Adabraka and Pankrono communities in the Ashanti region to avert possible reprisal attack.
One person is dead in a communal conflict between two youth groups in the town.
Family of the deceased are demanding the arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the incident that resulted in the death of a young man called Owusu Banahene.
Endless Youth group clashes
Violence among youth groups in Tafo, Pankrono, Adabraka and Ahwiaa has become a common occurrence.
Lives are consistently lost and properties destroyed.
Sources within these communities have blamed the constant clashes on the surge in drug abuse among the youth.
“The youths in the communities are so much into drugs, so every little misunderstanding will escalate into a violent clash. Crime has gone up and there are some spots within the communities, you dare not walk pass there during the day and night time without being attacked and your personal belonging taken from you.
The police cannot say they are not aware of the nefarious activities of these boys. Anytime the police effects arrest on some of these incidents, the next minute you will see the person back to the community. This in a way causes public mistrust in the police and encourage people to sometimes take the law into their own hands”, a resident of Pankrono who wants to remain anonymous indicated.
The latest incident on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 occured after Owusu Banahene was ambushed by his assailants and fatally stabbed whilst on his way to attend nature’s call at a public toilet in Pankrono.
“It was around 4pm in the evening and we just had a call that we should come to Tafo government hospital that our brother has been stabbed. So, we all went there and found his lifeless body on the stretcher. He was gone. My brother was due to travel outside the country just next week”, Anokye Clinton, brother of the deceased, said in a teary voice.
The 27-year-old Banahene is said to be victim of circumstance.
“It was a mistaken target because the fight was between our elder brother and the gang. It happened two years ago. The brother refereed a football gala match and the other group claimed he officiated against them. They threatened to harm him but we all thought that we’ve ironed out our differences only to wake up to this fatal attack”, Clinton disclosed.
Reprisal attack
On Thursday, the following day, Pankrono youth launched a reprisal attacked on Adabraka, but police intervened promptly to prevent the clash from escalating.
Windshields of several cars were shattered. Shops were closed and commercial activities came to a temporary halt.
Two persons were arrested by the Tafo-Pankrono divisional police command.
Demand by the deceased family
For the deceased’s family, peace cannot be achieved without justice.
“We are expecting the police to do a thorough investigation, arrest the perpetrators, and let the law take its course. That is the only way we will admit justice has been served. Else we cannot rule out any retaliatory attacks – not from us as a family but some of the youth”, Samson Owusu, an uncle of the deceased signaled.
The violent altercation has caused widespread fear among the residents.
“Both communities have a youth gang. The killing and subsequent reprisal attacks have scared us. We are just hoping things would be resolved soonest. A police station in this community will at least reduce these kinds of incidents” Atta Bio David, a resident of Pankrono advised.
Residents anticipate that authorities will deliberate on a path to achieving lasting peace in the area.
“For once, the responsible authorities should get to the bottom of these clashes. It has been going on for years and the rippling effect is dire. It is about time authorities take a bold step to disband all these youth gangs”, Sumaila Issah, a resident of Adabraka recommended.
The police are currently steadfast in their efforts to uphold law and order by preventing any potential retaliatory attacks.
