Man shot dead on farm in fresh Nkwanta south violence

A man has been shot dead on his farm at Keri in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in the latest flare-up of violence in the troubled area.

The Assembly Member for the Keri-Odomi Electoral Area, Madam Juliana Awasan, confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), identifying the victim as Sammy Kentenso.

The killing has once again raised security concerns in Nkwanta South, a municipality with a long history of violent clashes among the Adele, Challa, and Akyode ethnic groups over land ownership and traditional festivities.

Nkwanta has seen repeated outbreaks of violence in recent years. In November 2023, armed assailants opened fire at the Nkwanta central market, killing at least six people and injuring several others. Just two months later, in January 2024, a traditional festival turned deadly when clashes claimed 17 lives.

In response, successive regional ministers, including the current Oti Regional Minister, Mr. John Kwadwo Gyapong, have deployed security personnel to probe the attacks and hold mediation talks with chiefs and opinion leaders.

A curfew has been enforced in the township since November 2023, alongside a ban on carrying arms, ammunition, or offensive weapons within Nkwanta and its environs. Security agencies have repeatedly warned that offenders will face arrest and prosecution.

Authorities continue to urge residents to exercise restraint, lay down their weapons, and resolve disputes through non-violent means. Meanwhile, security forces are maintaining a heavy presence in the municipality to restore calm and ensure the safety of civilians.

GNA