Tension has escalated in Larteh-Akuapem, Ghana, following a confrontation between the Larteh Kubease and Ahenease factions. A chief was reportedly shot in the hand on Saturday, October 5, 2026, amid a longstanding traditional dispute between the two factions. The incident resulted in police intervention, with tear gas fired to disperse the disputing groups. At least two people have been hospitalized at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Koforidua.
The confrontation has heightened fears of a possible escalation of the dispute, with residents and commuters caught up in the unrest. The situation became particularly tense at the Larteh Presby Junction, where the road linking the area was blocked, disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement. Eyewitnesses reported that members and supporters of the opposing factions converged at the scene, resulting in a chaotic situation that forced some residents to flee for their safety.
The police subsequently moved into the area and deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order. The circumstances surrounding the reported shooting of the chief were yet to be officially established. The Larteh Kubease Twafohene and Adweso Kyidomhene, Osaberimah Kwame Asah Tawiah I, called for urgent intervention by the government and traditional authorities to prevent further escalation.
The renewed confrontation has brought to the fore the longstanding dispute between the Kubease and Ahenease factions over traditional authority and the identity of the two communities. The Kubease side insists that Larteh comprises two distinct towns and is opposed to any arrangement that seeks to merge the two communities or place them under a single traditional authority.
Osaberimah Kwame Asah Tawiah I stressed the need for dialogue and restraint, warning that the growing tension could have serious consequences if not addressed promptly. The Kubease side maintained that its position was not intended to promote conflict but to protect the distinct traditional identity of the two communities.
Residents have called for calm, urging the authorities to bring all the disputing parties together to find a lasting solution to the dispute. There have been renewed calls for a stronger security presence in Larteh to prevent further clashes and protect residents and property. The extent of injuries arising from the confrontation, apart from the reported injury to the chief and the two persons admitted to hospital, had not been officially confirmed.
The security authorities are monitoring the situation as efforts continue to restore calm to the community. The incident has resulted in at least two hospitalizations, and there was no official confirmation regarding arrests or the identity of the person or persons responsible for the reported shooting.
Key points
- A chief was reportedly shot in the hand during a confrontation between Larteh Kubease and Ahenease factions.
- The confrontation resulted in police intervention, with tear gas fired to disperse the disputing groups.
- The incident has heightened fears of a possible escalation of the dispute, with residents and commuters caught up in the unrest.
