Tension builds up between Basake and Ainyinase over land disputes

Fear and panic have gripped residents of Basake, in the Ellembele District of Western Region, following threats by the chief and elders of Ainyinase, a sister commercial town, to kill anybody from Basake who sets foot on their soil to transact any form of business.

The fear-stricken traders, including Okada riders and taxi drivers, had no option than to flee for their lives last Tuesday, which was a market day, when the threat was issued in a public announcement.

There are also rumours of moves by the Ainyinase chiefs to recruit ‘mercenaries’ from Ampain Refugee Camp to cause mayhem in the area.

Reports indicate that this threat by the chiefs is as a result of a long-standing land dispute with their counterparts at Basake.

Condemnation

Some well-meaning residents in both communities have however condemned the threat, saying it has the tendency of disrupting the the peace of the country, especially ahead of the December 7 general elections. They have therefore appealed to the law enforcement agencies to act swiftly before blood starts flowing.

Unfortunately, the police seems to be downplaying the consequence of this sensitive issue by failing to manage it efficiently.

Nana Abuyah Kofi VI, the chief of Basake, says he is not happy with the lukewarm attitude towards the issue by the police and has, thus, called on the District Security Council to step in in the interest of peace and tranquillity.

He described the chiefs and people of Basake as peace-loving and always ready to coexist with their counterparts in Ainyinase.

Open for engagement

The Basake chief told journalists at a press conference that the disputes, threats and attacks on his subjects are needless, and urged Nana Etwe Kpanyinli, his counterpart at Ainyinase, to soften his

stance, adding that his doors are always open for amicable settlement of any impasse between them.

Instead of fighting each other, Nana Abunyah Kofi VI has said, Basake and Ainyinase are ‘brothers’ and should team up in protecting their property from a common enemy.

Daily Statesman gathered that over 60 per cent of the total land surface of Ellembele is owned by the Basake-Ainyinase-Allonwuba stools, with Nana Etwe Kpanyinli claiming ownership of a 16.5 acre stretch lying behind his counterpart’s residence.