A violent land dispute in Penteng, in the Afigya Kwabre North District of the Ashanti Region, has left one person dead, several properties destroyed, and residents living in fear.
According to residents, the conflict stems from a long-standing land ownership claim by the chief of Sasamo, who reportedly insists that all lands in the area belong to him.
He is said to have warned residents against undertaking any development without his approval and deployed landguards to enforce the directive.
Tensions escalated when a resident, identified as Macho, allegedly defied the chief’s orders and began construction on a piece of land near his family home.
Despite repeated warnings from the landguards to halt the project, Macho reportedly continued with the development.
The situation turned violent when Macho confronted the landguards.
In the clash, he allegedly overpowered one of them, inflicting severe injuries with a cutlass, including deep wounds to the hand, neck, and forehead.
The injured landguard was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital but has reportedly died.
In retaliation, a group of landguards is said to have attacked Macho’s family house, setting it ablaze. The fire destroyed a seven-bedroom structure completely.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the Assembly Member for the area, Hon. Vincent Yormedor, confirmed the incident, which occurred on March 30, 2026. He explained that the violence was triggered after the landguards allegedly demolished Macho’s building, leading to the deadly confrontation.
Hon. Yormedor further revealed that the situation in the community remains tense, with fears of possible reprisals.
Reports suggest that additional landguards from nearby Afrancho-Bronkong may be mobilising for further attacks.
He also disclosed that earlier the same day, an ECG meter reader was assaulted by residents during a disconnection exercise. The victim was rushed to the hospital at Denase for treatment.
The Assembly Member expressed concern over the rising insecurity in the area, noting that multiple incidents within a single day have left residents anxious about their safety.
He has since called on the District Police Command in Ahenkro to increase security presence in the community to prevent further violence.
Additionally, he indicated that the District Security Council (DISEC) has been convened Wednesday on1st April,2026 at 10am to address the situation and implement measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.