One beheaded, houses burnt in a deadly chieftaincy clash at Asemko

A renewed chieftaincy dispute between the communities of Asemko and Butre in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region has turned deadly, leaving one person beheaded and nearly 80 percent of houses in Asemko destroyed.

The violent clash has plunged the once-peaceful town into chaos and fear.

According to reports, the violence erupted after residents of Asemko attempted to install their own chief, reigniting a long-standing leadership dispute between the two neighbouring communities. What began as a disagreement quickly spiralled into a full-blown conflict, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life.

Eyewitnesses say armed groups from both sides clashed violently, setting fire to several homes and property. “It was terrifying — people were running for their lives as the fighting spread,” a fleeing resident recounted.

Currently, Asemko has been left deserted, as residents have fled to nearby towns and villages seeking refuge. Schools have been shut down, and normal economic activities have completely halted due to the ongoing tensions.

Local authorities, together with security forces, have since been deployed to the area in an effort to restore calm and prevent further bloodshed. However, officials admit that the situation remains tense as investigations continue into the cause of the renewed violence.

Police have yet to confirm any arrests, but community leaders are calling for immediate government intervention to prevent reprisal attacks and restore lasting peace.

The Ahanta West Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) is expected to convene an emergency meeting to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate relief for displaced residents.

Meanwhile, MoGCSP extends urgent support to Gbenyiri clash victims as the Ministry moves swiftly to provide food, water, and reassurance to families displaced by the violent land dispute.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has extended urgent support to victims of the violent land dispute clashes at Gbenyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region.

Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said MoGCSP’s urgent support was to provide immediate relief to displaced women, children and the elderly who were forced to abandon their homes after the clashes.

She stressed that MoGCSP’s urgent support formed part of the government’s commitment to restore dignity and offer hope to affected families in Gbenyiri who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

The clashes, which erupted over a land dispute, left several people dead and displaced dozens of households. Many victims are currently being sheltered at a Ghana Red Cross–operated camp located at the Sawla District Police Headquarters.

During her visit on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Dr. Lartey led a government delegation to distribute cooked meals and drinking water to the victims. She assured them that further emergency assistance, including psychosocial support and protection services, would be rolled out under the mandate of the Social Protection Act.