The police have arrested three suspects in connection with chieftaincy-related disturbances at Dompim Pepase, which resulted in severe injury to one person and damage to several properties at the Tarkwa-Nsuem Municipality of the Western region.
The suspects, Ibrahim Issah, Atanga Peter and Asonba Emmanuel, were among a group of people who went on a rampage and inflicted machete wounds on a victim, who is currently on admission at the hospital.
The suspects also destroyed some properties belonging to some individuals in the town.
The police have since restored calm in the town, and efforts have been intensified to get the remaining suspects arrested to face justice.
Background
The family house of a claimant to the Dompim-Pepesa stool, Nana Nyonwah Panyin IV, was left in ruins following a chieftaincy-related disturbance in the community.
According to sources, a group of armed men went on a rampage, destroying properties and attacking individuals.
This follows a statement from the Dompim-Pepesa Divisional Council that Nathaniel Dekyi, who is holding himself out as Nana Nyowah Panyin IV of Dompim Pepesa, is not a chief.
Mr Nathaniel Dekyi, in an interview on Monday, October 10, had alleged that the MP for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, the MCE for the same area, and the Western Regional Minister were hindering his efforts as the ‘chief’ to end ‘galamsey’ in the area.
However, in a statement, the Dompim Pepesa Divisional Council said the “Council wants to state unequivocally that Nathaniel Dekyi is not the Chief of Dompim Pepesa.”
“We entreat the media and the general public to disregard any interview by him as he is not and has never been the chief of Dompim Pepesa,” Nana Nyarkefole III, Secretary to the Council, stated.
Contrary to the allegations that the MP for the area and others were involved in ‘galamsey’ in the community, the Council said Nathaniel Dekyi is rather the individual involved in illegal mining as he has sold cocoa farms to illegal miners.
“The Council wishes to state on record that the said Nathaniel Dekyi is the chief architect of illegal mining in Dompim Pepesa,” the statement added.