A rift between two rival communities, Mamprusis and Gonjas, over the creation of two new regions up north, has left at least two people dead with three wounded.

Communal violence broke out Thursday night (15 August 2019) between the rival groups at Lakula near Daboya in the Savannah Region.

Details of the skirmishes remain sketchy but sources say gunshots were heard after some young men transporting cement blocks to the village for a mosque project were prevented from doing so.

During the recent creation of six new regions, residents of Lakula were sharply divided over whether to join the Savannah or the North East Region.

Some of the residents of the area, who have been holding protests in support of joining the North East Region, cite social, political and economic reasons as their motivation but the Gonjas maintain the land belongs to them and, so, wouldn’t tolerate any breakaway.

The injured are receiving treatment at the Walewale hospital.