The Kyidom Hene of the Abease Traditional Area, Nana Kokwa Boffour II, has called for urgent security intervention in Zabrama and surrounding communities in the Pru West District of the Bono East Region, warning that the Paramount Chief, Obrempong Kru Takyi II, should be held responsible if the ongoing tensions lead to bloodshed.

Nana Kokwa Boffour II made the appeal following growing concerns over an alleged land dispute involving a proposed 24-hour economy market site, as well as claims of intimidation against residents of Abease, Zabrama and Dama-Nkwanta.

He is calling on the Bono East Regional Security Council (REGSEC), the Pru West District Security Council, the National Security Council and the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs to intervene before the situation escalates.

According to the Kyidom Hene, the dispute centres partly on land earmarked for the proposed 24-hour economy market, which he said the Zabrama divisional chief and the community's Odikro had released to the government for the project.

He alleged that Obrempong Kru Takyi II had been attempting to interfere with the land and had intimidated residents using vigilantes and alleged armed guards brought in from neighbouring Ivory Coast.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and no response from the paramount chief was included in the account.

Nana Kokwa Boffour II maintained that the community would not allow public property designated for the market project to be taken over or used in a manner contrary to its intended purpose.

“We shall ensure that no one takes over the 24-hour economy market land which the chief and the people of Zabrama have given to the Ghanaian government,” he said.

He also appealed to the Bono East Regional Minister, the Pru West District Chief Executive, Hon. Samuel Agyapong, and other state officials to engage the paramount chief to address the land dispute, alleged indiscriminate land sales and concerns involving Fulani herders and cattle.

The Kyidom Hene urged residents, particularly the youth, to remain calm and pursue dialogue and lawful means of resolving their grievances rather than resorting to violence.

He said traditional authorities should serve as a bridge between the government, development partners and local communities to mobilise resources, promote economic opportunities and empower the youth.

Youth call for protection

Meanwhile, Kyereme Charles, chairman of the youth groups in Abease, Zabrama and surrounding communities, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and security agencies to provide adequate protection for residents amid the allegations.

He expressed concern over what he described as the alleged use of money to influence police officers in the area, alongside claims that armed guards had been brought in from Ivory Coast to intimidate residents.

“The youth chairman alleged that the Paramount Chief had bought the police officers around the area with money and had brought a lot of handguards from Ivory Coast to intimidate us,” the account attributed to him stated.

The allegations against the police and the alleged guards have not been independently established.

Mr Charles called on the National Security Council, the Bono East Regional Security Council, the Pru West District Security Council and the district assembly to intervene to protect residents of Zabrama, Komfokrom, Abease, Kamampa, Krobo, Cherembo, Dama-Nkwanta and neighbouring communities.

He said residents were determined to protect public property and support development projects intended to benefit their communities, particularly the proposed 24-hour economy market.

“We need peace and unity to develop our communities. We will not sit down and allow the development of our communities, especially the 24-hour economy market land at Zabrama, to be jeopardised,” Mr Charles said.

The dispute has prompted calls for urgent engagement among traditional authorities, local government officials and security agencies to establish the facts, address the competing concerns and prevent a possible escalation.

Residents are seeking a peaceful resolution that protects public property, safeguards their security and allows development projects to proceed without intimidation or violence.

EA