Tension is mounting between the people of Nimoro and Fielmua communities in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region over a land dispute. Both sides are said to be stockpiling arms and ammunition in readiness for a battle to settle the dispute which started a few months ago. It is feared the misunderstanding could escalate into an ethnic conflict between Sissala’s and their Dagaaba neighbours. The District Police Commander, ASP James Aggrey, however, told the Ghanaian Times that the situation had been brought under control with Police on the ground to maintain law and order. He said a man who was arrested carrying a gun, bow and arrow, believed to be from Fielmua was released when it was found out that he had no intention of attacking anybody, but rather was looking for his lost cattle. Mr. Aggrey said the Police would do everything in their power to ensure amicable solution to the problem in the interest of peace in the area. He however said logistical problems including the lack of vehicles are hampering police operations since they are unable to effectively patrol the area. “Currently we have to depend on the district assembly for vehicles to and from the hotspots and this is making it difficult for us to properly monitor the situation,” he added. Speaking to the Ghanaian Times on Tuesday, the assemblyman for the Fielmua Electoral Area, Mr. Felix Neetega, said the problem started on January 21, this year when the chief of Nimoro placed a ban on farming on farmlands said to belong to Nimoro. He said following the ban, a youth group from Nimoro went to break down a farm hut belonging to the chief of Fielmua and left behind a message which read; “Please leave the farm. You people say the land is no more fertile, leave and go to Fielmua and farm. By: Nimoro Chief and his people.” Mr. Neetega said what had aggravated the situation was that, for the past two weeks, youth from Nimoro were alleged to be moving from farm to farm uprooting newly planted crops of the people of Fielmua. He said the people of Fielmua had therefore, decided to arm themselves as a means of protecting themselves from any attack by the youth of Nimoro. The Chief of Niator, Kuoro Barecheh Nlowie Baninye II, told the Ghanaian Times that the land in question belongs to the Nimoro divisional area which was part of the Buwa Traditional Area, but efforts to settle the matter amicably with the Fielmua Chief have proven futile. According to him, the Fielmua Naa had refused to meet with the Chief of Buwa Traditional Council for a settlement. Kuoro Baninye, who is also the acting President of the Zini Traditional Council, said as a result of the disturbances, some chiefs from the Buwa Traditional Area met with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on Thursday, May 19, at which the RECSEC requested that the ban be lifted for the Fielmua people to farm while a solution was found to the dispute. He said the chiefs promised to meet with the Buwa Traditional Council to consider the request, but on last Saturday, they rather maintained their stand that the people of Fielmua farm within the land that had been given them. Kuoro Baninye said he had a call on Monday night from Nimoro that the people of Fielmua were planning to attack Nimoro so he informed the Police and the Bureau of National Investigations. Meanwhile, the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji lssaku Saliah, has appealed to both sides to remain calm while an agreeable settlement is being found to the problem. Addressing the first section of the Sissala West District Assembly, Alhaji Issaku Saliah, said there was the need for the chiefs to restrain their people from violence. Alhaji Saliah said in spite of their differences, he was hopeful that the problem could be solved and therefore, urged all parties to put aside their mutual suspicions and mistrust to give peace a chance. Source: Ghanaian Times