2 Die in violence * In Agona Swedru

Front Page: Daily Graphic, December 29, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
TWO persons were killed at Agona Swedru yesterday following clashes between some members of the Zongo community and the indigenes.
The deceased have been identified as Muhammadu Iddrisu, 24, and Kwaku Acheampong, 35.
A third person, Kwame Asiew, was operated upon at the Agona Swedru Hospital after he had allegedly been hit by a stray bullet.
Eleven other people sustained various degrees of injury in the clashes.
Personnel drawn from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces are currently patrolling the town to avert further clashes.
The Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Owusu Donyina, told the Daily Graphic that early in the morning, Iddrisu allegedly attacked a drinking spot, known as ‘Crockers’, destroying property and threatening to kill anyone who dared get closer to him.
He said patrons of the drinking spot abandoned their drinking and entertainment and ran for their lives.
According to him, Iddrisu allegedly left the spot, and while he was on his way to a second drinking spot wielding a machete, some youth in the area attacked and lynched him.
Chief Supt Donyina said it was being alleged that Iddrisu was a mental patient, although the police could not verify that.
He said after burying Iddrisu in line with Muslim tradition, some members of the Zongo community decided to attack some of the indigenes in retaliation for the death of Iddrisu.
He said it was in the heat of the counter-attack that Acheampong was killed, while the others sustained various degrees of injury.
Chief Supt Donyina said the police immediately called for reinforcement from Cape Coast and Accra, with personnel from the Panthers Unit, the Armoured Squadron Unit and the 64 Infantry Battalion responding to bring the situation under control.
He said the security personnel were still monitoring the situation and indicated that a curfew might be imposed if any more threats were identified before the close of day.