The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kpandai, Haruna Abdul-Karim, has taken a significant step to consolidate peace in the district by procuring five brand-new motorbikes worth GH¢ 63,700 for victims affected by a violent clash between two rival Nawuri youth groups earlier this year.
The presentation, which took place on June 13, 2026, at the Kpandai Police Station, forms part of efforts to prevent a recurrence of tensions that erupted over a disputed gravel pit along the Dobung–Kpandai road corridor.
The conflict occurred on February 7, 2026, when youth from Nkanchina and Kpandai communities clashed over ownership and use of a gravel extraction site that had supplied materials for the construction of the Dobung–Kpandai road project. The dispute centered on competing claims over the land and attempts by one faction to commercially exploit the gravel deposits, a move that was strongly resisted by the opposing group.
The confrontation turned violent, resulting in the burning of six motorbikes and threatening to trigger a wider conflict between the two Nawuri factions. Security personnel, led by the Ghana Police Service and supported by district authorities, intervened to restore calm and prevent further escalation.
Addressing the media after the presentation ceremony, Mr. Abdul-Karim said his decision to personally intervene and replace the destroyed motorbikes was motivated by the need to safeguard the peace and stability of the district.
According to him, while those responsible for the destruction should ordinarily bear the cost of replacing the motorbikes, the tense nature of the situation required immediate action to avert a potentially larger conflict.
"The attackers of this violent clash were supposed to bear the cost, but considering the tension at the time, I intervened and engaged both sides together with the security agencies to find a solution that would preserve peace," he said.
The DCE emphasized that his gesture does not absolve perpetrators of criminal responsibility, noting that the matter remains before the courts.
"Providing these motorbikes does not take away the criminal aspects of what happened. The case is before the court, and whatever decision the court arrives at will be respected. My intervention is simply to prevent what could have become a major conflict with far-reaching consequences for the district," he stated.
Mr. Abdul-Karim revealed that some innocent passersby were also affected during the disturbances, including an individual from another ethnic group whose motorbike was damaged. He noted that community leaders had moved swiftly to address that situation to avoid possible retaliatory actions.
He stressed that the financial cost of replacing the motorbikes was far less than the potential economic and social costs that could have resulted from a full-scale conflict.
"If we had allowed the situation to deteriorate into a conflict, the cost to the district and the public purse would have been much higher than the amount spent on these motorbikes," he added.
The DCE further explained that the replacement of the motorbikes was intended to provide immediate relief to affected residents, many of whom depend on the vehicles for their livelihoods, particularly farming activities that require travel over long distances.
He used the opportunity to caution the youth against violence and taking the law into their own hands, urging them instead to embrace dialogue and lawful means of resolving disputes.
"The security of our people remains paramount. Any individual, group, or chief who seeks to instigate violence or disturb the peace for personal interests will face the full rigours of the law. We must always choose dialogue and consultation over confrontation," he warned.
Mr. Abdul-Karim also underscored the critical role of traditional authorities in maintaining peace, noting that chiefs, as custodians of land, should lead efforts to resolve boundary and ownership disputes through consultation and consensus-building.
"They are all Nawuris, and as DCE my responsibility is to ensure that development and peace prevail in the district. Land disputes should always be addressed through dialogue and proper consultation," he said.
Receiving the motorbikes on behalf of Nana Okumankwi I, the Nkanchina-Wura, the Chief's Secretary expressed gratitude to the DCE for what he described as a timely demonstration of leadership and commitment to peace.
He said the chief accepted the motorbikes in good faith and commended the efforts of the Ghana Police Service and the District Security Council (DISEC) in managing the situation professionally.
"What happened could have resulted in a disaster and instability in the area. We appreciate the DCE's intervention and pray that such incidents never happen again. Conflict and violence do not build communities," he said.
He further assured residents that the Nkanchina traditional authority would continue to promote dialogue, consultation, and peaceful coexistence among all groups within the district.
The gesture by the DCE has been widely celebrated by residents of Kpandai as a confidence-building measure aimed at healing divisions, restoring livelihoods, and strengthening the culture of peaceful conflict resolution in Kpandai District.
