Upper East Regional Minister Tangoba Abayage has described recent violent clashes between two communities in the Kasena Nankana area as a blot on the conscience of the region.
The land dispute between Kandiga and Doba communities has led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
Reports say the recent clashes were sparked by the siting of two projects on a disputed land within the area.
Earlier in April this year, the two clashed over territorial disagreements when the Kandiga community commenced civil works at a suburb called Akonkongo-Abempengo Electoral Area to facilitate the processes of putting up a Police post and a Community-based Health Planning and Service (CHPS) compound.
Addressing journalists in Bolgatanga, Ms Tangoba Abayage noted that the security and crime situation in the Upper East region have significantly improved except the conflict situation in the Kasena Nankana area which has become a major setup.
“I think that we are doing quite well. Unfortunately we have the issue of Doba and Kandiga which is a blot on our conscience currently,” she said.
She explained that though security in the area has been beefed up, the major challenge security personnel assigned there face is accessibility to some of the suburbs of the two communities where some dastardly acts are committed as offshoots of the conflict.
“It is a very small area we are talking about but the terrain is a very difficult one. Most of the skirmishes are in-land where we have no access roads, we have small rivers and it is a rainy season and most of the rivers are full. So it is difficult to police but the police are doing their best,” she added.
The minister disclosed that she has made a request to the Inspector General of Police on the situation and general crime fight in the region, which includes the provision of robust motor bikes for police personnel to facilitate easy access to the remotest communities.
Meanwhile, Director-General in charge of National Police Patrol, COP Patrick Akolgo who paid a five day working visit to the region acknowledged that crime rate in the Upper East Region has dropped.
“The Upper East Region generally is peaceful, the crime situation has been reduced so, the good news I’m sending to the Inspector General of Police is that Crime is on the decline in the region. We get worried when crime rate is on the ascendancy, but when we are working hard to reducing crime rate, then, is happiness for all of us,” COP Patrick Akolgo indicated.
