A violent confrontation between a group of Fulani herdsmen and local Wassa residents at Manso in the Mpohor Fiase District of the Western Region has left several people nursing severe cutlass wounds following a heated disagreement over unpaid local gin, popularly known as akpeteshie.
The bloody clash, which broke out at a popular drinking spot in the farming community, quickly escalated into a free-for-all brawl involving deadly weapons, leaving the quiet enclave in total chaos.
According to eyewitnesses, trouble began when a Fulani herdsman visited a drinking joint to buy akpeteshie. After consuming the liquor, the herdsman allegedly informed the spot operator that he would settle his bill later.
However, drama unfolded shortly afterwards when the same herdsman was spotted at a different bar purchasing drinks for other patrons and paying cash on the spot.
Upon noticing this, the first operator confronted the Fulani man to demand payment for the unpaid drink, but he adamantly refused to settle the bill. A Wassa native who witnessed the confrontation intervened, insisting that the herdsman pay the vendor.
Furious over the intervention, the Fulani herdsman reportedly contacted his colleagues, claiming he had been embarrassed and assaulted by the spot operator. Within minutes, a group of herdsmen armed with cutlasses stormed the scene.
The disagreement rapidly degenerated into heated exchanges, with the herdsmen drawing their weapons and launching an attack on the residents at the bar.
Infuriated by the violent assault, local youth from the Wassa community quickly mobilised to avenge their colleague, while other Fulani herdsmen in the vicinity joined the fray to defend their kinsman.
The ensuing brawl turned the community into a battleground as both sides traded slash wounds.
Several individuals sustained deep cutlass injuries to their heads, arms, and torsos before onlookers could intervene.
Personnel from the Ghana Police Service were swiftly dispatched to the scene to restore calm and prevent further reprisals. However, police officers struggled to control the volatile situation, leading the matter to be referred to the local Chief’s palace.
During the emergency sitting, traditional leaders in the area directed all Fulani herdsmen within the community to pack their belongings and leave the enclave immediately.
Meanwhile, the injured victims were rushed to a nearby health facility for emergency medical attention, where they are currently receiving treatment under police guard.
The Mpohor District Police Command has since launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, with police sources assuring the public that active efforts are underway to track down and arrest all perpetrators to face the full rigours of the law.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
