Akyode traditional council, as well as residents in the community, are troubling by the inhumanity nature of how their people are being killed unjustifiably.
The Youth in a press statement expressed degreed of sadness and regret of how lasting peace is still denying them despite the president efforts to bringing peace between the two communities, Akyode and Achallas.
The Yout have listed key issues that have been a standing block confronting the lasting end of violence in the region demanding the removal of the Regional Mininster, Hon. John kwadwoa Gyapong and Municipal Chief Executive Officer of Nkwanta South, Hon. Joseph Antwi Awal of their duties for failing to foster peace-building in the two communities.
The statement was signed by the Youth leader, David Suglo calling on the president, H. Excellency John Dramani Mahama to act swiftly on their request to bring immediate peace. Adding appealing to the security apparatus to bring those committed the dastard act to book to serve as deterrent to others.
Read full statement of the press release;
AKYODE YOUTH ASSOCIATION
National Executive Council
Bankers: GCB PLC Nkwanta, Oti Region
P. O. Box 44
Nkwanta, Oti Region 0240328660
Our Ref.: ………………………. Date: March 23, 2026
To All Media Houses
PRESS RELEASE
CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF OTI REGIONAL MINISTER, HON
JOHN KWADWO GYAPONG AND NKWANTA SOUTH MCE, HON. JOSEPH AWAL
ANTWI FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES
We, the youth and people of Akyode, wish to call for the immediate removal of Nkwanta South MCE and the Oti Regional Minister from their respective offices. We vehemently believe that the posturing of these individuals undermines the peace-building process in Nkwanta; that their continued stay in office is a recipe for more chaos, and has the potential to worsen the already volatile security situation in the area.
First of all, we appreciate the efforts of the President of the Republic, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, and his government towards bringing peace to Nkwanta in the face of these crises. Since assuming office, the President has invested and continues to commit a lot of resources – both human and material towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict that has bedevilled Nkwanta for years. We commend the President, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry for Defence and the Peace Council for their contribution to the peace building process in Nkwanta. Apparently, the President and his government are doing everything possible to bring peace to Nkwanta, and this is highly commendable. It is, however, sad that these efforts have
not yielded the needed impact due to the incompetence and recklessness of the Oti Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong and Nkwanta South MCE, Hon. Joseph Antwi Awal.
Similarly, as a people, we have through the efforts of our chiefs and youth leaders demonstrated our commitment to peace-building in Nkwanta even in the face of extreme provocations.
1. On 24th October, 2023, Adeles and Challahs held a press a conference in which they threatened to kill us. Instead of threatening back, we called for peace.
2. On 28th October, 2023, an Akyode man was shot and killed by the Adele-Challa gang.
Instead of fighting back, we remained silent, trusting that the perpetrators would be made to face the consequences of their actions under the law.
3. From 28th October to 19th November, 2024, Adeles and Challas went about burning and destroying houses and other properties belonging to Akyodes. Even in the face of this, we chose not to retaliate. Thanks to the leadership of our peace-loving chiefs and youth leaders.
4. When Mr. Alidu Musah (Suraj) threatened to kill Akyodes one after the other in Nkwanta, we did not wage war against him or anybody.
In addition to our unpopular resolve not to revenge/avenge our misfortunes, we have always availed ourselves for every peacebuilding process by the government. For instance, our chiefs took part and signed the peace agreement that was mediated by the National Peace Council.
Following the agreement, the Osuwolewura (Paramount chief) entreated the Regional Minister and MCE to visit and engage the Akyode communities, which they have always neglected, to consolidate the peace the campaign. It is sad that this suggestion was ignored. The Paramount chief also went ahead to caution his people against any involvement in any attacks. Yet, our leniency has always been used to push us into victim status.
Even recently, when the conflicted escalated, the Osuwolewura (Paramount chief) called all the youth and chiefs at Shiare to swear an oath that they would not indulge in any act of violence. He also spoke to his people through his linguist (audio available). However, even when we chose peace, the actions of the Minister and Nkwanta South MCE gave Adeles and Challas more impetus to attack, kill and destroy our houses and properties with the intention to wipe us away from our ancestral home. Thus, the Minister and Nkwanta South MCE have become licences of impunity, lawlessness and hooliganism for Adeles and Challas, making it difficult to restore peace to Nkwanta.
The following deliberate actions of the Regional Minister and the Nkwanta South MCE reveal unacceptable depths of ignorance and incompetence on their part in conflict resolution and leadership, making them unfit for their respective positions
1. Open declaration of support for Challas
In a typical conflict situation, duty bearers are required to uphold the principle of fairness and natural justice. However, in April, 2025, the Regional Minister declared that based on some documents he had received, he knew the legitimate owner of Nkwanta Lands. Yet, he had neither received nor requested same from other parties. Thus, the Regional Minister, assuming the powers of a Court, affirmed Challa’s claim over Nkwanta Lands, even without giving other parties a fair hearing. How then can he mediate in the conflict when he is already prejudiced against one party? No wonder he has failed woefully in restoring peace at Nkwanta.
2. Obstruction of reconciliation efforts
The Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong and the Nkwanta South MCE, Hon.
Joseph Antwi Awal upon assuming office, ordered the Paramount chief of Ntrubo who had been tasked by the Oti Regional House of Chiefs to mediate in the conflict to take his hands off the matter.Also, the Minister cancelled a reconciliation meeting between Akyodes and Konkombas scheduled to take place at Shiare this year because his attempt to incite Konkombas against Akyodes failed. How then can this same Minister and MCE be thrusted with the responsibility of maintaining peace in Nkwanta? This can only happen in the wildest of dreams. These appointees have failed the government and the people woefully, and ought to be removed with immediate effect. The Regional Minister and Nkwanta MCE must go.
3. Non-arrest of Adele-Challa kingpins.
Since the Regional Minister and Nkwanta South MCE assumed office, their approach has been to protect and defend one party – Adeles and Challas and their gangsters. Consequently, these people act with impunity. In 2025, Mr. David Vivinyo (Agya Rubber) was caught with sophisticated weapons in his house but he escaped trial. Mr. Alidu Musah (Suraj) is on record to have threatened to shoot and kill Akyodes in Nkwanta one by one. He is walking freely. Mr. Charles Lincoln (Tutu Nkpa) and his Adele-Challa people mounted an illegal barrier at Nkwanta, seized Akyodes from passing vehicles and tortured them in the full glare of the security. The Minister and MCE saw nothing wrong with that.
Just few days ago, a teacher who is Guan-Akyode by tribe was butchered in Nkwanta by one Kwaku Dunga with impunity. This hooligan who identifies himself as a personal bodyguard to the Nkwanta South MP, Hon. Geofrey Kini, also attacked a Dagomba man, whom he thought was an Akyode. Yet, he was released almost immediately he was arrested. Thanks to the leadership of Hon. Gyapong Kwadwo and Hon. Joseph Antwi Awal. Isn’t it obvious that both appointees lack the capacity to promote fairness, justice and reconciliation which are critical to every peace-building process? Again, we insist respectfully that the Minister and Nkwanta South MCE must go if government is truly committed to promoting peace in Nkwanta.
4. Unlawful arrest, harassment and torture of Akyodes
Unlike Adeles and Challas whom the Minister and Nkwanta South MCE feel that they have a mandate to protect and defend as citizens, they treat Akyodes with sheer contempt and malice.
Since they assumed office, their approach to resolving the conflict has been to arrest, molest, torture and prosecute Akyodes. For instance, in June, 2025 alone, over seventeen Akyodes comprising women and minors were arrested and sent to the Cantonment Police station without any justifiable bases.
Following a shooting incident that erupted between Challas, Adeles and Akyodes, the Minister called for a joint operation to invade and arrest the people of Shiare leaving Adeles and Challas.
Indeed, over fifty people, most of whom were aged and minors, were arrested without any grounds.
In June, 2025, the Minister and Nkwanta South MCE sent men in military uniform to shoot and kill Akyodes at the yam market. Of course, they shot recklessly and set some shops ablaze.
To support their ethic cleansing agenda against Akyodes, they ordered military men to beat, torture Akyodes and get them out of Nkwanta. And as Akyodes left their houses for fear of being unjustly arrested, Adeles and Challahs took advantage of the situation, and went about burning and destroying several houses and properties of Akyodes. Are these leaders that should be trusted with the lives of citizens? Surely, to remove these appointees from office will be the kindest act of humanity to the good people of Nkwanta who deserve peace.
Also, to give Challas undue advantage over Akyodes, the Minister and MCE connived with the military command at Nkwanta to allow civilians wear military uniforms, sit in military vehicles, carry military weapons and attack unsuspecting Akyodes. This led to the shooting and death of Lucas Atabaso, a civilian at Abrewankor on Saturday 11th October, 2025.
Ladies and gentlemen, the recent cases of women being subjected to all kinds of undignifying tortures and human right abuses are just tips of the iceberg in the calculated attempts to torture and destroy the people of Akyode, and the Minister together with the MCE are not oblivious of those barbaric acts and crimes against womanhood. However, instead of rising to the occasion to condemn them, they chose to remain silent, unconcerned. But for us, their long silence on these issues and general indifference to the plight of Akyodes clearly show that they do not care when it matters to Akyodes. How then can these same people pose as leaders?
It is sad to note that the Minister and MCE have never visited or commiserated with Akyodes in these crises, although they do for Adeles and Challas. But as we know, a father who cannot and will not visit all his people, empathise with them, sympathize with them and support them in times of need cannot be a father for all and is not fit to be a father at all. The Minister and MCE have outlived their essence, and should therefore be relieved of their respective positions, respectfully.
5. Intention to arrest chiefs and youth leaders.
As indicated earlier, several Akyodes have been unlawfully arrested, tortured and even killed under the leadership of both the Regional Minister and MCE. Yet, peace is nowhere conceivable. Nevertheless, instead of re-evaluating their approach and going back to the drawing board to reconsider and deploy more effective, inclusive and sustainable strategies to address the issue., the Minister has rather hinted on Hello FM that he would be arresting some chiefs and youth leaders to give peace a chance. We think this is too dangerous path for the Miniter to take, and that if they cannot resolve the issue, they should not be allowed to stay in office any further to complicate matters.
As a people, we are for peace, and always prepared to lend our support to the course of bringing peace to Nkwanta on fair and justifiable grounds. However, we want to emphasize that the Minister and Nkwanta South MCE have created wounds too deep to heal by unlawfully arresting and maliciously torturing innocent people, and destroying properties. Apparently, allowing them to continue to stay in office is only a recipe to perpetrate further injustices and abominations that have the propensity to plunge Nkwanta into an even greater irredeemable mess.
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, let’s not be deceived by the pretentious peace walks and unity quizzes the Minister and Nkwanta South MCE are sponsuring to the effect that there is peace in Nkwanta.
As citizens of Ghana, we humbly appeal to the President of the Republic, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama to relief the Oti Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong, and the Nkwanta South MCE, Hon. Joseph Antwi Awal of their respective positions to end this shameless bias and tyranny, unlawful arrest and torture, undignifying treatment of women and children and the continued arbitrary use of state power to undermine justice and the rule of law at the expense of promoting peace and development in our dear Region and Municipality.
Thank you.
For more information or enquiries
David Suglo
0240328660
