The traditional authorities of the Akyem Kotoku area in the Eastern region of Ghana have accused the MP for Akyem Oda of masterminding factional disputes in the area. Several houses and cars were burnt after clashes at Akyem Oda on Sunday.

The Chief of Akyem Kotoku, Osadieyor Dr. Frimpong Manso IV, and the kingmakers of the area told a press conference that the MP for the area and Finance Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo is the brain behind the unrests. They appealed to President Kufuor to intervene and bring sanity to the traditional area since their lives are threatened by the trend of events.

Osadeeyo Frimpong Manso alleged that Mr. Osafo Maafo and District Chief Executive for Birim South, Mr. Amprofi are siding with the Attafuah faction against the Frimpong Manso faction. According to the chief, the Finance Minister claimed he was not consulted about his installation as chief.

Osadeeyo Frimpong Manso further alleged that Mr. Osafo Maafo masterminded the rejection of three people nominated by the traditional council to serve on the Birim South District Assembly.

He called on the MP and the DCE to stop taking sides in the dispute and appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs to quickly resolve outstanding issues.

Meanwhile, inhabitants of Akyem Oda have appealed to the government, police and the relevant authorities to intervene in the factional and chieftaincy dispute in the area. Residents who spoke to JOY FM on condition of anonymity for fear of losing their lives if heard on air said the trend of the unrest overnight was life threatening.

According to them, nightlife since Sunday has been characterised by sounds of gunfire and other frightening nocturnal activities. All these are happening without any security presence in the town. The residents told JOY FM that the presence of adequately equipped security will help keep the feuding factions at bay while efforts are being made to settle the dispute.

The palace of the Adontenhene and other sub-chiefs of the area are reported to have been attacked overnight and valuable property destroyed. They called on their Member of Parliament, Yaw Osafo Maafo to help reduce the tension by being a mediator rather what they described as his bias to the Attafuah faction.

No lives have been reported lost so far in the factional and chieftaincy feuding, which started on Sunday. The only reported casualty who suffered severe eye injuries is currently on admission at the Akyim Oda hospital. Several houses and cars have however been burnt.

When JOYFM contacted the Finance Minister to react to the allegations, he was in a meeting. Efforts are however being made to get his side of the story.