Two killed, several injured in Abunyanya land dispute clash

Two people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a violent clash in Abunyanya, a farming community in the Nkwanta North District of the Oti Region.

The incident occurred on Sunday, February 1, 2026, and is believed to have stemmed from a long-standing land and chieftaincy dispute within the community.

Assembly Member for the Abunyanya Electoral Area and Presiding Member of the Nkwanta North District Assembly, Alhassan Abubakar, told the Ghana News Agency that the confrontation also led to the destruction of properties, including houses, shops and motorbikes.

According to him, the violence erupted when a man from Abunyanya No.1 began developing a piece of land that is currently under dispute. Residents of Abunyanya No.2 allegedly attempted to stop the development, triggering a violent confrontation between the two sides.

Mr Abubakar explained that the District Security Committee had earlier intervened and summoned community leaders in an attempt to resolve the matter peacefully. However, the individual involved reportedly ignored advice and continued with the construction work, escalating tensions.

“Gunshots were fired during the clash, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries to several people, while a number of properties were destroyed,” he said.

Military personnel were later deployed to the area to help restore calm. The Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, has since ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to Abunyanya and surrounding communities to maintain law and order.

Authorities are expected to continue engagements with community leaders as investigations into the incident proceed.