Kongo: A group of assailants has attacked a community in Kongo, a village in the Upper East Region. They inflicted gun, cutlass, and club wounds on the residents, leaving in their wake eight razed compound houses, burnt livestock, and other valuable items.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Sulemana Abdulai, an elder of the community and a brother of one of the victims, recounted the tragedy, stating that on August 2nd, the group stormed the area, shooting and threatening without provocation. He has appealed to the government to apply necessary interventions to deter further attacks, emphasizing that the community members are Ghanaians like all other ethnic groups in the area.
Kongo, located in the Tempani District, is a border village at a crossroad to Burkina Faso and Togo. It is inhabited by three main ethnic groups: the Bimobas, the Mossi, and the Fulbes (Fulani). Mr. Abdulai expressed concern about the ongoing pressure and blame he faces for urging his people not to retaliate, hoping for police intervention, which has been lacking. Some of the injured have been transferred from Bolga Hospital to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
ASP Kwadwo Adu, the Garu District Commander of the Ghana Police Service, confirmed the attack and stated that some arrests had been made, with investigations ongoing. He assured the community of police protection and warned against future attacks.
Mr. Kakani Fatawu, Assemblyman for Kongo, described the attack as devastating, attributing the remote cause to a dispute over land use and ownership currently before the Bolgatanga High Court. He stressed the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means, urging the factions to coexist. He appealed to the Military and Police to increase patrols and disarm individuals if necessary, noting that the region is already experiencing a major conflict and cannot afford another.
