Violence Erupts At Brohani

Brohani (B/A), Aug. 24, - One person died and 25 houses were set ablaze during the recent communal violence at Brohani in the Wenchi district, which also caused the displacement of about 1,000 people. The dead has been identified as Ocrah Seidu, a 35-year-old farmer. This came to light when the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr David Osei-Wusu, visited the town as part of his two-day tour of the district. The violence was precipitated by attacks on a court bailiff and policemen sent to the town to enforce a Sunyani high court order that the chief pay 120,000 cedis, being the remainder of costs awarded against him in a land dispute with Menji, a neighbouring town. The attacks later degenerated into communal violence, when supporters of the chief attacked and burnt the houses of residents suspected to be sympathisers of the Menji chief. At a durbar held in honour of the Regional Minister, a spokesman for the people, Mallam Salia Kramo, described the violence as unfortunate, saying the attacks on the police in particular did not have the blessing of the elders. He appealed to the regional coordinating council to take a serious view of the land dispute with Menji, the root cause of the violence, and come out with an amicable settlement. Mallam Kramo said the dispute first erupted about seven years ago when the chief of Menji demanded 400 tubers of yam, seven sheep and a number of chicken from the people of Brohani annually because the land on which they are staying belongs to him. He said the High Court ruling seems to uphold the claim and demands of the chief of Menji, but the people of Brohani find it difficult to accept, because to them it amounts to slavery. He gave the assurance that violence will not be used by the people to express their displeasure about the ruling. Mr Osei-Wusu deplored the use of violence in settling issues and advised them to use approved channels to seek redress. He also asked them to facilitate the return of those who were forced to flee the town. Mr Osei-Wusu also visited Menji and impressed upon the residents to allow for the due process of law in the land dispute.