Eric Sidu, started shaking uncontrollably moments after consuming the food and was rushed to the Kpando Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

[contextly_sidebar id=”8AqetSJytexOVnIzJTmNTar6IwZmbSzv”]The deceased’ daughter, son, son in-law and three grandchildren, who ate the meal together with him are on admission at the hospital.

Ms. Mavis Sidu, the daughter, recounted the incident to the Biakoye District Chief Executive, Ms. Comfort Attah, on her hospital bed when she visited to find out how they were responding to treatment.

Four people from Alavanyo had died under similar circumstances in 2017, after eating food prepared with puffer fish, known locally as “Gedde”.

Don’t eat ‘poisonous’ Puffer fish – Fisheries Commission

The Fisheries Commission in August 2017 warned Ghanaians against eating any product on the market made with the Puffer fish due to its poisonous nature.

The Head of Fish Health Unit of the Fisheries Commission, Dr. Peter Ziddah in an interview with Citi News urged the public to be extra careful when it comes to the Puffer fish as it is even more poisonous than Cyanide (sodium or potassium cyanide used as a poison or in the extraction of gold and silver).

He said “what happened with regards to the puffer fish in the Volta Region is purely a public health issue. We need to warn people about what to eat and what not to eat.”

“In this case, we are talking about processing, people need to learn how to process their catches before eating. The Puffer fish is more poisonous than cyanide. You need some special skills to be able to process that fish to eat,” Dr Ziddah added.

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By: citifmonline.com with additional files from GNA

The post One dead, 6 others hospitalized after eating poisonous fish appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The SASADU Festival, which is a rotational festival celebrated among the four Traditional Areas of Saviefe, Akrofu, Sovie and Alavanyo to mark their migration from the Ewes’ ancestral home in Notsie, Togo, was hosted this year by the Alavanyo Traditional Area over the weekend.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0kbzU1Suqlm1nuSZBqrdhWto2MQJk4tX”]The festival, which was extensively celebrated despite recurring conflicts in the area, turned sour at the tail end when one of the revelers went missing mysteriously.

George Akorli, 62, could not be traced shortly after eyewitnesses purportedly saw him walk about in a drunken stupor.

After several failed attempts to trace him, Citi News gathered that relatives called his phone, and an unknown fellow picked up, claiming he had George in his custody; indicating he had him slain with his corpse in his possession.

The caller was alleged to have given his name as Lucifer.

The situation is brewing tension in the town as women went wild in their red attires demanding the whereabouts of the said man from authorities.

Although similar incidents have occurred in the past, mostly as a result of the decades-old land dispute between the Alavanyo traditional area and that of Nkonya, expectations are that such cases are treated as crimes committed by individuals.

The Kpando Police Command declined to give details on the matter to Citi News but said investigations are ongoing.

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By: King Nobert Akpabli/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Alavanyo: 62-yr old man missing in suspected kidnapping, murder appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to them, although some military personnel have been spotted in the area, the government has not communicated its intention of having them permanently established there.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NO3y0ExLCdMcLPppNODMaVlvguyXTQ5z”]Nana Ampem Darko, the Ankobeahene of Nkonya Traditional Area in an interview on Eyewitness News, said the government may be looking to expand the military operations in the area, adding that the current conflict between the two areas is not necessarily related to the land.

He said the places people were being attacked was very far from the disputed land.

The Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, while contributing to a discussion on how the conflict between the two areas can be resolved, said that the government plans to acquire the disputed land to develop it into a military training camp as a permanent measure to address the issue.

“We on our part, the security we’ll start training in that particular area, the structures have already been put there, to ensure that the security is permanently present there because we need land to train so if people have land and they give to us to train and they are disputing over it, we will go and use that place to train,” he said.

But Togbega Atakora VII, the Paramount Chief of the Alavanyo Traditional Area, said the military presence currently in the area was only for peacekeeping activities.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, he said they do not fully understand government’s plan for the area in acquiring the disputed land. According to him, the conflict between the two areas has grown to be complex in nature, and may require a more dynamic approach to addressing.

“I’m sure they will be discussing with us; and if we have any contribution to make, we will also do. We’ve all been working for peace; but if the government feels that this is the right thing to do, we only have to see what part we would have to play to make sure that it comes to fruition.”

He added that despite the proposal, the local authorities need to be supported to educate their subjects on the need to maintain peace.

The has been heightened tension between the two areas following renewed attacks and reprisal attacks. Barely two weeks ago, two persons were gunned down ,while 3 others were left injured after some unknown assailants opened fire on five farmers from Nkonya Ahinkro.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t yet to meet Nkonya, Alavanyo chiefs over disputed land appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

At a press conference in Alavanyo, the youth group; Alavanyo Youth Association, observed that emerging security threats in the area are being stoked by criminals who hide behind a perceived land dispute to perpetrate heinous crimes.

[contextly_sidebar id=”pcuhgl0TWm20qccdkrxAacmULAmrjRFg”]The youth group said although relative calm has been restored in the area in the past months, the Divisional Commander’s approach to the recent killings leaves much to be desired.

“On the 20th April, 2017, we heard in the media that two (2) palm-wine tappers were killed on a plot of land which is about to be developed near Nkonya Ahenkro. We the people of Alavanyo and indeed our chiefs were shocked at the pronouncement of the Kpando Divisional Police Commander; Superintendent Prosper Ahlidza who told Accra based Joy FM in the morning that “It was an attack from the Alavanyos”.

“We the people of Alavanyo are however perturbed at the way and manner in which the Kpando divisional Police commander, Superintendent Prosper Ahlidza sat in the comfort of his home and without conducting any investigations into the matter, deemed it fit to conclude that the gunshots came from the direction of Alavanyo and therefore the killers of the two (2) palm-wine tappers are from Alavanyo.”

The group believes the commander’s prejudicial comments led to the “reappraisal” attacks from the people of Nkonya which led to the death of four their people.

Discounting the threats of the age-long land dispute, the leader of the group, Richard Kitsi, explained that, what is seen as a dispute between the two traditional areas is not. He said it’s rather a land litigation among individual families of Nkonya and Alavanyanyo, which has little bearing on the peace of the two traditional areas.

“We are glad the youth and people of Nkonya in their recent press conference – Setting the record right, stated that the true facts about the recent happenings in Nkonya and Alavanyo, there is no such thing as land dispute between Nkonya and Alavanyo traditional areas as always portrayed by the media, but rather between some individual families thus, three (3) Nkonya Tayi and six (6) Alavanyo Kpeme families.

“We want everyone to know that, there is no land dispute between us and we know our boundaries.”

Pledging their commitment to the peace building process, the youth group called on the security agencies in the area to begin fresh investigation into the unrest, with requisite gadgets and skills in fighting what they believe is an organized crime.

“Our security services should employ modern technologies for surveillance, if they don’t want to go into the bush. Having drones for example, line-up over the boundaries in the bush will put some fear into the people camped in the bush and you will also be afraid to move from your area to the other to commit crime.”

Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Commander in a Citi News interview, denied ever making statements to suggest that the people of Alavanyo were involved in the killing. He said he only talked about the direction of the bullet.

“If you listen to the interview, I only said that the direction of the bullet was from the Alavanyo side, but didn’t accuse anyone from Alavanyo of killing the said person.”

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By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Approach Nkonya-Alavanyo dispute intelligently – Youth group appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The latest crime recorded in the area was the murder of a 62-year-old woman last Friday, bringing the death toll to four in just about a month.

Both factions have called on the police service to intensify its investigative role to arrest culprits involved. But the Volta Regional crime officer, Superintendent Wonder Dogbevia has said police investigations have been frustrated by the attitude of residents.

“The police have not relaxed but looking at the vegetation of the area… anybody can hide in the bush to commit any crime,” he said.

“We are doing our best but it all depends on the information we receive from the community. For the community, they know these perpetrators and it is their duty to come out with them so that we arrest them and deal with them according to the law,” Supt Dogbevia added.

Persons close to the situation have attributed the murder on the protracted Nkonya-Alavanyo dispute.

The deceased, Madam Elizabeth Anku is reported to have come out of her home to pick mangoes when she was killed.

Two persons from Nkonya were reported dead in April 2017 when some unidentified persons opened fire on them on their way from their farm between Nkonya and Alavanyo.

The dead were among five farmers from Nkonya-Ahinkro who were returning from their farm.

The three others managed to escape although one of them was left injured.

A 15-year-old boy was also killed at Alavanyo after some unidentified men who invaded the community.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior has reviewed the curfew placed on the Nkonya and Alavanyo township.

The curfew hours are now between 8 pm to 5.30am.

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By: Farida Shaibu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Alavanyo murder: Residents must provide information – Police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The deceased, a native of Alavanyo Deme, was gunned down by some unidentified men who invaded the community about an hour ago.

It is unclear if today’s shooting is linked to recent clashes between the Alavanyo and Nkonya faction which left three people dead.

Confirming the incident to Citi News, the assembly member for Alavanyo, Wisdom Amlado  said: “A boy of about ten years has been shot in Alavanyo . He was shot dead a couple of minutes ago.”

He added that the military has already moved to the scene to ensure order.

In April, three people from Nkonya were killed by some assailants which resulted in the suspension of the Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers both traditional areas indefinitely by the Volta Regional House of Chiefs for their failure to maintain peace between the two traditional areas.

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By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 15-year old shot dead at Alavanyo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The team was delegated by the Inspector-General of Police, and was accompanied by the Crime Scene Management Team from the CID Headquarters, Accra, which processed the crime scenes for further investigation.

On arrival at Nkonya Ahenkro, COP Yohuno and his men were briefed about the entire situation, and assured of calm by the Commander of the joint Police and Military Task-Force enforcing law in the area.

He added that, the Task-Force was doing everything possible, including intensive patrol, dialogue with the chiefs and opinion leaders of the two communities, and public education to ensure that the prevailing peace is sustained.

COP Yohuno expressed the condolence of the Police Administration to the bereaved families, and assured the people of Alavanyo and Nkonya of their neutrality in dealing with the situation.

“We do not side with any faction in this conflict. Our main purpose is that, there should be peace so that everybody can go about his or her normal duties. There is no winner when there is conflict.”

“What we are telling the people in Nkonya and Alavanyo is that, they have promised Ghanaians not to fight again, and they should hold to their pledge and their promises and make sure they bring development to this area.”

“We will make sure that all the people behind this murder will be brought to book. All that we need from the people is for them to volunteer information. We need time to investigate. We need time to get the perpetrators of this crime. So let those who have information come forward, volunteer information to police, and they will be rewarded accordingly,” COP Yohuno said.

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By Gratham-Jaisey Mckintosh/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post CID forensic team assesses Nkonya killings crime scene appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“It is important to stress that, the government has no hand in the suspension of the chiefs,” Dr. Letsa stated in a Citi News interview.

[contextly_sidebar id=”s2MrRTelY0yIcZennVzDBmAXWS4JFNRH”]”It was a decision taken by the Regional House of Chiefs. What I can say is that, maybe there was an agreement between the House of Chiefs and the chiefs, and the House felt that maybe, agreements have not been honoured. But that is only speculation,” the minister added.

Dr. Letsa further explained that, chiefs must take more responsibility and must “be more committed and bring all their people under control and they must mobilize the community to expose all the criminals that are taking advantage of this [tension between Nkonya and Alavanyo] because as far as we are concerned, it is a criminal matter.”

In the meantime, the police, military and personnel from the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), are on the ground to avert any further violence, according to the Minister.

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs suspended indefinitely, the Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers of Nkonya and Alavanyo for their inability to maintain peace between the two traditional areas, following a shooting incident that left two people dead on Wednesday.

Though the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Samuel Ahiave Dzamesi, has supported the decision of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, the Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers are unhappy about the decision, saying they should not be held responsible for the criminal acts of a few.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t didn’t influence Alavanyo, Nkonya chiefs’ suspension – Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to them, the Chiefs cannot be held responsible for the recurring conflict.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZOBZZ9KgI7Kt9tBSUEwY3NM8Bg5L0m0T”]The Volta Regional House of Chiefs announced on Thursday that it had suspended indefinitely, the Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers of Nkonya and Alavanyo for their inability to maintain peace between the two traditional areas, following a shooting incident that left two people dead on Wednesday.

The President of the House of Chiefs, Nana Soglo Alloh, who confirmed the suspension to Citi News, explained that, the House of Chiefs took the decision because they were not happy with developments in those areas.

“We are saying that, as far as we are concerned, even though we are not blaming them for their direct involvement, we think they have a responsibility of bringing peace in their traditional areas,” he said.

But the Queenmother of Alavanyo, Mamaga Amertor II, told Citi News in a separate interview that, the shooting incident was unrelated to the conflict between the two towns.

“I don’t know how they are doing that because this is not a conflict. This is a criminal act and a criminal act is committed by individuals and not the chiefs. The chiefs are not in the town. When the chiefs are usually in the palace and somebody commits a criminal act, why should the chief by punished? This is not a fight between Nkonya and Alavanyo.”

“Some individuals are doing this, so why should the chief be punished for that. This is a community issue. Over 2,000 people under your umbrella and one person is doing something criminal, would you identify that this is the person? This is different from a conflict. We’ve left the conflict behind us so why should there be attacks?” she quizzed.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Nkonya-Ahundwo, Nanai Ampen-Darkoh III, has charged the Police to arrest the culprits responsible for the recent shooting, instead of blaming the traditional authorities.

“If for any reason, part of what happened last Wednesday, the people are taking that decision, it sounds funny to me. I think it is the police that rather must be entreated to do their investigations because for me I see it as something criminal… It is not an area anywhere near the disputed land, this happened far away from the disputed land,” he noted.

Nkonya killings will be treated as a criminal matter – Minister

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Security Council has said it will handle the recent killing of the two persons at Nkonya Zongo on Wednesday evening as a criminal matter.

During a media briefing on Thursday, the Volta Regional Minister and Chairman of the Council, Dr. Archibald Letsa, sought to in the meantime, isolate the killings from the long-standing land dispute between the Alavanyo and Nkonya communities.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Suspending Nkonya, Alavanyo chiefs unfair – Queen mother appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This follows renewed troubles which left two people dead and others in critical condition at Nkonya.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NNbhvdmW6fOltBh0zeqPeHd7C9naumZH”]The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Soglo Alloh, confirmed the suspension to Citi News after a closed-door meeting with the Volta Regional Minister on Thursday.

He explained that, the House of Chiefs took the decision because they were not happy with developments in those areas.

“We are saying that, as far as we are concerned, even though we are not blaming them for their direct involvement, we think they have a responsibility of bringing peace in their traditional areas.”

Nana Alloh further explained that, the Nkonya and Alavanyo chiefs and queens have also been stripped off any privileges they enjoy including financial benefits “until a peaceful solution is attained and the issue is resolved.”

Nkonya killings will be treated as a criminal matter – Minister

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Security Council has said it will handle the recent killing of the two persons at Nkonya Zongo on Wednesday evening as a criminal matter.

During a media briefing on Thursday, the Volta Regional Minister and Chairman of the Council, Dr. Archibald Letsa, sought to in the meantime, isolate the killings from the long-standing land dispute between the Alavanyo and Nkonya communities.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & King Norbert Akpabli/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post House of Chiefs suspends Nkonya, Alavanyo chiefs over clashes appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.