Ashanti Regional Minister assures Ahwiaa of security

Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah has assured the people of Ahwiaa in the Kwabre East district of Ashanti, peace and security.

The assurance of security follows recent misunderstandings that degenerated into communal fighting resulting in one death and several injuries.

Speaking on Accra-based Asempa FM Tuesday, the minister said the recent Ahwiaa misunderstanding is no news and that it has its roots in the past.

Fifty-one people have been apprehended and are to be arraigned before court Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the recent clashes.

Describing the immediate causes of the present face-off at Ahwiaa as "funny" and which should not have brought about any fighting, the minister said there are claims a man assaulted a lady of the same faith, following which she informed her boyfriend, who is not a Moslem. The boyfriend in turn attacked the Moslem, resulting in a communal fight.

He said in another instance, someone was accused of joining in the singing of dirges by a 'rival group' on their way from the burial of a dead colleague, and he was set upon and beaten.

According to the Minister, while security personnel have been sent to Ahwiaa to ensure peace and security, he is going to be strict and deal with anyone who foments trouble.

He said the situation has not degenerated to the level where a curfew will have to be imposed on the people. He said however that students were deliberately not allowed to go to school on Tuesday.