Government troops on Wednesday were headed to a town in northern Ghana where clashes between rival factions left 36 people dead, including a regional chief, police said.

About 50 people were seriously wounded and several houses burnt in the fighting between Andanis and Abudus in Yendi, police superintendent Awugtuge Awuni said.

Paramount chief Ya-Na Andani Yakubu of the Andanis was beheaded when Abudus stormed his palace, Awuni said. A paramount chief is the leader of a group of other chiefs either in a town or a region.

Radio reports said hundreds of people fleeing the violence were en route to the regional capital, Tamale.

"Many have died. At least 36 bodies are lying at the Yendi hospital," Awuni said.

The two groups have had a history rivalry since Ghana gained independence from Britain in 1957.

The latest troubles in Yendi began Monday, but it is unclear what sparked the fighting. Two people were killed that day and authorities imposed a dusk to dawn curfew.

Awuni said sporadic gunshots had been heard in Yendi on Tuesday and clashes escalated Wednesday.