By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Nungua, Prof. King Nii Odaifio Welentsi III, accompanied by the Vice President of the House, HRM Nene Tetteh Wakah III, and selected members of the House, has paid a courtesy visit to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, at the Ofori Panin Fie in Kyebi in the Eastern Region.
The visit followed widespread public concern triggered by a viral social media video alleging that individuals claiming to be indigenes of the Eastern Region were using threats, harassment and force to evict Ga-Dangme families from their ancestral lands at Okanta and Otwebedidua.
The video further alleged that the lands were being taken over for illegal mining (galamsey) activities. These claims sparked intense public debate, raising fears of ethnic tension, land insecurity and possible involvement of illegal mining interests.
Addressing the Okyenhene, Prof. King Nii Odaifio Welentsi III noted that the relationship between the Ga-Dangme and Akyem peoples dates back several generations. He explained that Ga-Dangme families migrated from the Greater Accra Region to the area nearly 200 years ago and have since lived peacefully with their hosts.
Accordig to him, the settlers have established permanent homes and livelihoods, contributing to agriculture, trade and social development without any challenge to their presence or land ownership over the years.
He said the purpose of the visit was to hear directly from the Okyenhene, as the head of Akyem Abuakwa, to understand what was happening on the lands in question and to seek an amicable resolution to ensure continued peace and harmony between the two traditional areas.
In response, the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, firmly denied that the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council had sanctioned any eviction, harassment or transfer of land to illegal mining operators.
He stressed that no traditional authority had authorised the use of force against any group, describing such actions as criminal and a matter for law enforcement agencies.
He also cautioned the public against the spread of unverified information on social media, warning that misinformation could damage the long-standing peaceful relationship between the two ethnic groups.
Following the engagement at the palace, the Okyenhene directed the chiefs of Okanta and surrounding areas to accompany the Greater Accra delegation to the affected communities for a first-hand assessment of the situation.
Prof. King Nii Odaifio Welentsi III expressed satisfaction with the Okyenhene’s response, saying it was important for the public to know that there was no conflict between the two traditional authorities. He added that the delegation was keen on visiting the communities involved to listen directly to the people and fully understand their concerns.
At Otwebedidua, the delegation observed a generally calm environment. Community members denied claims that illegal mining activities were taking place or that people were being forced off their lands. They explained that the issue there was related to chieftaincy matters rather than galamsey or land eviction. The delegation concluded that the situation in Otwebedidua was not connected to illegal mining activities, contrary to what had been widely circulated online, but noted that the matter would still be further examined.
The delegation then proceeded to Okanta, where the viral video was reportedly recorded. There, both community leaders and residents denied allegations that Ga-Dangme families were being harassed or forcibly evicted. They explained that tensions in the area stemmed from the enforcement of community regulations rather than ethnic targeting or illegal mining activities.
According to the youth leaders of Okanta, the community had introduced restrictions on late-night movements, night-time funeral activities, and unauthorised gatherings, which they described as unhealthy and disruptive. They said these measures were intended to address rising teenage pregnancy, security concerns and public disorder, and that the rules applied to all residents, irrespective of ethnic background.
They explained that misunderstandings arose when some individuals allegedly defied these directives, leading to confrontations. Community representatives disclosed that the dispute began about a year and a half ago and was not a recent development, as portrayed on social media.
During the visit, several houses were observed to be abandoned, dilapidated or without roofing sheets, suggesting that many of the structures were not actively occupied. During the engagements, allegations were made that some houses had been damaged or burnt and that farms belonging to residents had been attacked.
Members of the Ga-Dangme community at Okanta acknowledged that the conflict indeed started about a year and a half ago and had persisted, but insisted that it was not related to illegal mining activities. They confirmed that the police were involved at the time, with arrests made and investigations initiated but didn’t end any where.
There were also claims that some individuals were assaulted during the disturbances, with one death reportedly recorded elsewhere in connection with the broader tensions.
At the end of the fact-finding exercise, the leadership of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs agreed that the matter should be resolved through the appropriate local traditional authorities, with the involvement of security agencies where necessary. Both the Greater Accra and Akyem Abuakwa traditional authorities reaffirmed their commitment to peace, dialogue and coexistence, pledging to work together to preserve the long-standing harmonious relationship between the Ga-Dangme and Akyem peoples.
It was further agreed that a joint meeting between the two parties would be held after the Christmas festivities to finally resolve the issues and restore lasting calm to the affected communities.
