Togbe Dadzawa III, the paramount chief of the Shia traditional area in the Ho municipality of the Volta Region, and his elders are set to mediate between the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the residents of the community following a clash on Friday.

On Friday,November 15, residents of the border town clashed with armed GIS officers at around 4pm. This confrontation followed an earlier disagreement between one of the GIS officers and some Okada (commercial motorcycle) riders, who are residents of the community.

The mediation is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 November, at the chief’s palace in the community. The Volta Regional Command of the GIS and youth leaders are expected to attend the mediation.

Residents have noted that the violence stemmed from a personal issue involving a junior GIS officer stationed in the community and a woman who is an indigenous resident of Shia.

Speaking to Myjoyonline.com, one of the Okada riders alleged that the officer was engaged in sexual intercourse with the woman. During the act, the woman was said to be mourning loudly, which attracted the attention of the Okada riders.

The incident reportedly took place in a house near the Okada riders' station on Thursday, 14 November.

According to eyewitnesses, the woman’s loud cries drew the attention of the riders, who then intervened.

In response, the officer allegedly mobilised his colleagues from Ho, and on Friday, they stormed the town in search of the riders who had disrupted the act.

During the confrontation, the armed officers reportedly fired warning shots and sprayed pepper spray. In retaliation, the aggrieved youth blocked the main road in the community to prevent the GIS officers from driving through.

Two of the residents sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment at the Shia Health Centre.

The Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Divine Bosson, who is also an indigene of the community, described the conduct of the GIS as “unprofessional” and pledged to liaise with the GIS Command in the region to ensure peace prevails.

Earlier this year, in January, a 25-year-old Okada rider was shot and killed by a GIS officer in the community. After lengthy discussions between the deceased’s family and the regional GIS, the young man's remains were recently laid to rest in Ho.

Residents have expressed concerns that, without swift intervention, Friday’s disturbances could escalate into violent chaos.