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Leaders in Ghana’s Embattled Region Cautioned against “embarrassing” Catholic Faith

Members of of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) and Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) during their annual joint meeting at the Saint James Catholic Church, Osu, Accra. Credit: GCBC

By Silas Isenjia

Accra, 21 January, 2024 / 9:05 pm (ACI Africa).

Catholics in the embattled areas of Oti Region in Ghana have been urged to embrace the Church’s teachings to resolve their conflicts and to stop embarrassing the Catholic faith by resorting to violence.

In a report, the Oti Regional Minister, Joshua G. Makubu, found it unfortunate that some of the key players in the protracted conflict in Nkwata, a town in Oti region, are not only practicing Catholics but “active communicants within the Church.”

“Those of us in Nkwanta, we are becoming a nuisance and an embarrassment to the Catholic faith,” Hon. Makubu said in the Friday, January 19 report, urging the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) to “intervene immediately” in the conflict.

He added, “Is the Church alone not enough for us… that we have to kill others?”

Nkwata has been experiencing escalating chieftaincy and land disputes that have disrupted the peace in the area.

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The recent conflict that reportedly began on December 31 last year resulted in the fatal shooting of a young man believed to be in his 30s and another person in Odomi near Nkwanta on Tuesday, January 2.

The violence stems from a clash between three ethnic groups in the area regarding the celebration of the Annual Yam Festival that took place in October last year.

Since then, numerous residents have lost their lives, prompting many to flee the municipality for safety.

In the January 19 report, Hon. Makubu further faulted leaders in influential positions including the Municipal Chief Executive for Nkwanta South Municipality and the clan Chiefs who he says are Catholics but have failed to contain the conflicts in the area.

Oti Regional Minister observed that the fact that conflicts keep escalating in the region is an indication that the church’s teachings are “falling on deaf ears”.

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“I know my Bishop is doing all he can, but I think it has gotten to a point where the Catholic Church in Ghana would have to renew its evangelism and evangelize to those of us who are already Catholics and have gone through some of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church,” he said.

Annual Yam harvesting festival is celebrated in Ghana between September and October. 
 
Last year, the celebration that took place in October turned chaotic as some tribes could not agree over the venue for the Yam festival and the nature of the rites to be performed as part of the festival.
 
The conflict has reportedly extended in the new year forcing some people in the region to flee for safety.
 
Silas Isenjia

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.

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