Ashanti Groups Call for Ceasefire in Social Media Clash with Bono

Certain groups in the Ashanti Region have thrown their support behind the ceasefire initiative led by Mr. Nick Danso Abeam to restore peace between the youth of Asante and Bono on social media.
The ongoing verbal attacks by so
me individuals and youth groups from Asante, Dormaa, and Techiman on social media have become a growing concern.
While the exact cause of the conflict remains unclear, traditional leaders from these areas have not been spared from the verbal abuse.
However, in a recent video circulating on social media, one of Ghana’s wealthiest businessmen, Nick Danso Abeam, is seen in the company of the sons of the Paramount Chiefs of Techiman and Nkoranza.
In his speech, he stated that he had engaged the Paramount Chiefs of Techiman, Nkoranza, and Dormaa in an attempt to broker peace.
He further claimed to have secured Asantehene’s blessing to proceed with his peace mission.
At a press conference in Kumasi, Asante groups, including the Ashanti Youth Association (AYA), Asante Kotoko Society, the Royal Society of Asante History and Culture (ROSACH), the Asante United Front, and the Asanteman Community Foundation, expressed their support for the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Mr. Oppong Boadi, Vice President of AYA, stated: “Not long ago, we saw a video of Mr. Danso Abeam on social media calling for a ceasefire between Asante and Bono. In the video, he mentioned that he had engaged the Bonokyempem youth to end the ongoing verbal attacks.”
According to him, Asante and Bono are one people. The Bono Ahafo Region was carved out of Ashanti by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, for political reasons.
Furthermore, many Paramount Chiefs in the Bono, Ahafo, and Bono East Regions are under the Asante Kingdom and swear allegiance to Asantehene.
He urged all individuals and groups within Asanteman engaging in the social media dispute to put an end to the verbal attacks and work towards peace.
“We have gathered here to lend our voices to Mr. Danso Abeam’s peace initiative. I want to state categorically that Asante has no issues with any group. We have intermarriages with the Bono people and other tribes across the country. Therefore, we urge the media and bloggers not to provide a platform for individuals seeking to escalate tensions for their personal gain.”
Mr. Oppong Boadi urged the youth to focus on development rather than engaging in unnecessary disputes, which he said only hinders progress and could destabilise the nation.
At the event, the Royal Society of Asante History and Culture (ROSACH) was represented by its Vice Chairman, Rev. Oppong Baah. The Asante Kotoko Society was represented by Mr. Osepetetreku Kwame Osei, while the Asante United Front was represented by its Chairman, C.W. Nuako. Mr. George Ohene Benche represented the Asanteman Community Foundation, and Abena Safo Kantanka represented the Asante Students Union (ASU).
Story by George Addo