Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, has expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in the Ashanti Region, attributing much of the unrest to the ongoing Bawku chieftaincy conflict extending its reach into the area.
In a recent interview, Mr. Assafuah pointed to a disturbing rise in violent incidents—including killings and mysterious disappearances—that he says receive little media attention. He cited multiple cases as evidence of the region’s deteriorating security environment.
One particularly tragic incident involved the body of a six-year-old girl found in a parked vehicle at Suame Market days after she had been reported missing. "This happened near my constituency but received almost no media coverage," he said. "There are many such cases the public never hears about."
He also mentioned a recent daylight shooting in Asawase, linking it—along with other violent episodes—to the ethnic tensions stemming from the Bawku conflict. According to Assafuah, the long-standing dispute in the Upper East Region is now spilling into communities in Kumasi and beyond.
"The fear residents feel is real," he emphasized. "It’s not just perception. People fleeing violence in Bawku have relocated to the Ashanti Region, and we're now seeing the ripple effects."
Assafuah further referenced the fatal shooting of Peggy Ayelbassah, a young nursing student who was killed near Dinase in the Kwabre North District while traveling to Salaga for an interview. He also mentioned the recent assassination of a Kusasi chief in Asawase, incidents he believes are directly linked to the Bawku conflict.
"This issue is no longer limited to Bawku," he warned. "It’s at our doorstep, affecting our communities in real time."
In response to the escalating tension, the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has implemented emergency measures. These include a ban on motorcyclists wearing smocks—a garment associated with some northern ethnic groups—and a curfew on motorcycle use in Asawase after 7:00 p.m.
While these steps are aimed at containing the unrest, Mr. Assafuah maintains that stronger, more coordinated efforts are urgently needed to restore safety and prevent further violence in the region.
Source: The Ghana Report
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