The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Nkwanta South, Hon. Joseph Awal Antwi, has made a strong call for peace and dialogue, asserting that the only sustainable solution to the ongoing conflict in the area lies not in violence, but in honest conversation and collective responsibility.
His appeal came during a high-level peace and security engagement on Monday, July 7, 2025, when a delegation from the Ghana Armed Forces’ Southern Command, led by Brigadier General Paintsil, was dispatched to Nkwanta South Municipality to assess the escalating situation and engage with factional leaders involved in the conflict.
Addressing stakeholders at the meeting, the military leadership made it unequivocally clear that the Ghana Armed Forces remain neutral in the conflict. “The military is not here to support any faction. We are here to help restore calm and provide the space for dialogue and reconciliation,” Brigadier General Paintsil stated. “Violence will only delay development and deepen division. We urge all parties to lay down their arms and embrace peace.”
Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Joseph Awal Antwi, in his remarks issued through his office and sighted by Africa Live News, echoed the military’s stance and emphasized that the long-term development of Nkwanta South hinges on the collective decision to choose dialogue over weapons.
“The surest path to peace is dialogue—not guns,” Hon. Antwi declared. “We are at a critical point in our municipality’s history, and our future depends on how we respond to this moment. If we choose understanding and compromise, we will thrive. But if we choose violence, we all lose.”
The meeting brought together security officials, local government representatives, traditional authorities, and representatives of various factions embroiled in the conflict. The discussions were aimed at creating a peaceful roadmap for resolving grievances that have lingered in the municipality over the past months.
Also present at the engagement was the Oti Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong, who emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring peace returns to the area. In line with that commitment, he reiterated the official ban on festivals and large public gatherings within the Nkwanta township, which had previously been instituted to curb any potential flare-ups of violence.
“We have not lifted the ban on festivals in Nkwanta,” Hon. Gyapong clarified. “We understand the cultural importance of these events, and so we are not saying people should abandon them. However, due to the security situation, such activities must be held outside the township where it is safe and controlled.”
The Regional Minister stressed that the focus must remain on ensuring stability in the area, adding that development cannot take root in a climate of fear and insecurity. He therefore appealed to traditional authorities to take the lead in promoting calm and mediating peace among the youth and community factions.
“We are calling on our chiefs to use their influence and wisdom to calm tempers,” he said. “No matter the grievances, our communities must come together and find common ground. We can only develop Nkwanta when we are united.”
Hon. Joseph Awal Antwi, who has been at the forefront of community engagement and peace-building efforts in the area, reiterated his office’s willingness to support all groups and leaders committed to lasting peace.
He also acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service in maintaining order amid the ongoing tensions. “We thank the security services for their professionalism and dedication to protecting lives and property in our municipality,” he noted.
In recent weeks, Nkwanta South has seen heightened tensions stemming from unresolved community disputes that have threatened the peace and safety of residents. Isolated incidents of violence and retaliation have raised concern among local authorities and security agencies, prompting urgent interventions at the regional and national levels.
With the latest visit from the military command and renewed calls from local government leaders, there is renewed hope that the people of Nkwanta South can work together to rebuild trust, open dialogue, and pave the way for reconciliation.
“The peace of Nkwanta lies in the hands of its own people,” the MCE said. “Let us choose peace over pride, unity over division, and dialogue over destruction. That is the only way we can build a better future for ourselves and generations to come.”
Hon. Joseph Awal Antwi called on religious leaders, opinion leaders, youth groups, and civil society actors to support the ongoing peace campaign and engage actively in promoting reconciliation at the community level.
“Let us remember that no matter our differences, we are one people. The guns must go silent, and the voices of reason must rise,” he concluded.
Africa Live News will continue to monitor the situation in Nkwanta South and provide updates as the peace process unfolds.
