Ahwia schools shut down after bloody clashes

Some schools at Ahwia in the Kwabre East District in the Ashanti Region have been shut down following bloody clashes between two youth groups over the weekend.

The action has been necessitated by fears of an escalation of violence in the community, Myjoyonline.com has learnt.

Apart from Ahwia Experimental A and B Junior High School that was opened Monday morning, the others have been closed down, Joy News’ Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Mohammed Nurudeen reported.

Touring the schools in the community, Nurudeen reported meeting some pupils of Ahwia D.A. Junior High School A and B who had been asked to go home by their teachers.

“We are going home because there is confusion and our teachers said the Zongo boys will attack again,” a female pupil told the reporter.

Another added: “We are going home because we are afraid [and] they said when it is 10 am the youth are going to pull down structures in the community.”

A preparatory school in the community, Mama Lee Preparatory ​School has also been closed down, Nurudeen added.

A funeral ceremony to see off a departed colleague turned violent on Saturday after two youth groups clashed over a misunderstanding.

One of the factions was reportedly prevented from attending the ceremony, a development that angered its members.

Brandishing machetes and clubs, the two groups fought with the factions sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

The District Security Council (DISEC) has since dispatched a team of police personnel to the community to maintain peace but residents have expressed fear the youth groups could clash again.

"We want an assurance that there will not be a repeat of what happened over the weekend," a resident said.

But Kwabre East District Chief Executive, Assibey Antwi has assured security will be beefed up in the area to protect the residents and properties.

"There are a lot of engagement on-going [and] the police will be here for some time unless we see peace here," he said, adding DISEC will look at a possible curfew if the need be.
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