Awudome-Anyirawase, Nov. 9, GNA - The Police under the command of Mr E. Bossman Ansong, Volta Regional Commander, on Wednesday averted a clash between irate youth from Tsito-Awudome and supporters of Togbe Addae Kwasi Sekpe XII, Paramount Chief of the Awudome Traditional Area at Awudome-Anyirawase.

The youth, who trekked the about four-kilometer journey from Tsito to Anyirawase, Police sources claimed, said they were there to reclaim a talking drum belonging to a clan in Tsito clandestinely taken to Anyirawase by a faction of the clan allied to Togbe Sekpe. The youth had earlier in the morning waylaid the retinue of Togbe Sekpe at Anyirawase while on the way to Ho for his induction as a permanent member of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.

After the ceremony when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) got to Anyirawase to make enquiries from the Police about the morning incident, it met about 60 youth, some with red bands tied around their heads pacing up and down the vicinity of Togbe Sekpe's residence, which was directly opposite the Police Station, with armed policemen taking positions at vantage points around the house.

For about four hours Mr Ansong and his officers shuttled between leaders of the youth and supporters of the Togbe Sekpe to ease tension between the two groups and also to convince the youth from Tsito to retreat.

The police sent on patrol in and round the town, thwarted attempts by the youth to attack Togbe Sekpe and his supporters as they returned from Ho.

There were, however, brief moments of scuffling between the opposing factions who threw missiles at each other forcing the police to fire volleys of warning shots to prevent a full-scale fight. The police contained the situation despite threats of attacks on them and an attempt by one of the youth to wrestle a weapon from a policeman and managed to get the elders of Tsito to convince their youth to go back.

Mr Ansong told the GNA that his men would monitor the situation to prevent any further breach of the peace.

Mr Justice Kwesi Yanney, a Ho High Court Judge who administered the Judicial Oath for the acceptance of Togbe Sekpe into the Volta Regional House of Chiefs said the Region's development was being held back by petty chieftaincy and land disputes.

Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area and President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs administered the oath of office. 9 Nov. 05