A violent confrontation between rival gangs at Mpasaaso No. 1 and No. 2 in the Ahafo Ano South-West District of the Ashanti Region has resulted in the death of one individual and left three others seriously injured, including a pregnant woman. The incident has thrown the community into panic and disrupted daily activities.
The clash occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday and has since caused fear among residents, with several farmers abandoning their fields and school attendance reportedly dropping due to safety concerns.
The exact cause of the violence remains unclear, but locals describe it as one of the most intense in recent times. Mpasaaso, known for its farming and small-scale mining activities, has experienced similar disturbances in the past.
Following the shooting, the attackers are said to have invaded the home of the Queen Mother of Mpasaaso No. 2, vandalizing her property and allegedly ransacking her bedroom. Community members believe the act was meant to threaten traditional leadership.
Mr. Dwamena Mensah, the family head (Abusuapanin) of Mpasaaso No. 2, expressed frustration over what he described as continued attacks and a lack of action from security officials.
Residents React to Gang Killings, Accuse Authorities of Inaction
“This is not the first time we are going through this. We’ve complained several times, yet no arrests have been made. It’s as if our safety doesn’t matter,” he said.
Another resident, Collins Appiah Afrifa, who claims to have witnessed the incident, voiced similar disappointment, accusing the police of inaction.
“We’ve reported everything to the Mankranso Police Command, but nothing has changed. People are losing trust in the police. If the authorities don’t act, we’ll have no option but to protect ourselves,” he said.
A local youth leader, Kwadwo Asare, further alleged that the attackers feel emboldened because of their supposed links to the District Chief Executive (DCE), Abubakar Saddick.
“They say the DCE is behind them. We’re giving him until Friday to take steps to protect this community. If nothing is done, we’ll take matters into our own hands,” he warned.
Community members are calling on the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to urgently intervene and restore peace to Mpasaaso.
