VZCZCXRO2476
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #0916 2531335
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101335Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8217
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ACCRA 000916 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958; N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KCRM GH
SUBJECT: Ethnic and Political Dispute leads to violence in Accra 
Market 
 
Ref: Accra 827 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: In an incident of violence with political and 
ethnic undertones, three individuals were hacked to death August 25 
following a dispute over a piece of land at the notorious Kontonba 
Yam market in Accra.  The conflict took place between members of 
rival migrant communities from northern Ghana, with tensions fueled 
by chieftaincy disputes and partisan differences between the 
communities.  A senior leader in the opposition New Patriotic Party, 
Nana Ohene Ntow, was questioned by police following allegations that 
Ntow incited NPP supporters to violence.  Civil society leaders are 
calling for calm, while several Muslim community leaders have 
expressed concern over violence among Muslim youth [Note: The 
individuals involved in this violence were all Muslim. End Note] and 
urged supporters to settle differences peacefully. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) On August 25, three individuals were killed during violence 
at the Konkonba Yam Market in the Agbogbloshie section of Accra. 
The individuals were hacked to death with machetes by members of a 
rival ethnic group, in a dispute over a patch of land.  The plot had 
been occupied by a group loyal to the former governing party, the 
New Patriotic Party (NPP), but was taken by National Democratic 
Congress (NDC) supporters following the latter's election victory in 
December. 
 
¶3. (U) The violence is linked to clashes that took place at the 
market in February, 2009 and is part of the protracted Abudu/Andani 
conflict (Ghana's Northern Region), and the Kusasi/Mamprusi dispute 
(Upper East Region).  While the two conflicts are not substantively 
related, both involve chieftaincy disputes.  The Agbobloshie market 
is largely dominated by migrants from northern Ghana, including 
Dagombas, Nanumbas, Konkombas, Mamprusis, Kusasis, and ally tribes, 
who are sharply divided along National Democratic Congress (NDC)/New 
Patriotic Party (NPP) lines with deep seated differences and 
hatreds. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Konkonba Yam Market has been a haven for criminal activity. 
 It also reportedly serves as a safe conduit for transporting 
weapons to the conflict in northern Ghana.  This conflict appears to 
be over control of turf between settler communities, a problem in 
several markets in both Accra and Kumasi. 
 
¶5. (SBU) On August 31 and September 1, police questioned NPP General 
Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow over allegations that Ntow incited the 
allegedly pro-NPP faction to violence at Agbogbloshie.  Ntow told us 
September 2 that he had been questioned in the presence of his 
lawyers, and that he had met with party supporters to the market 
dispute but that he had not encouraged the conflict.  He said he had 
advised them to lodge a formal complaint with the police and avoid 
violence.  Ntow remains under investigation but has not been 
charged. 
 
¶6. (SBU) A Muslim community leader, Shaykh Shaub Aremiyao told POL 
Chief September 4 that he was concerned over violence among young 
Muslims and that the actual dispute was remote from the market.  He 
said he has made the point in sermons that this type of violence is 
completely at variance with the teachings of Islam.  Aremiyao also 
noted his worry that this incident is encouraging negative 
stereotypes toward Muslims. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Comment: In post's view, the violence at Agbobloshie 
remains isolated and is likely to stay confined to the specific 
ethnic groups that originate in Northern Ghana.  A weak security 
presence in the Agbogbloshie market has left a vacuum that has been 
exploited by criminals. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Comment (cont'd): While the brutal violence was broadly 
condemned by political and civil society leaders, the politically 
undercurrents are serious, and - when seen in the context of the 
violence that took place during the Akwetia election (reftel) - 
demonstrate that violence among and between grassroots supporters of 
Ghana's main political parties remains a problem.  Post will monitor 
this issue in the run-up to two expected by-elections later this 
year, and will take every opportunity to encourage political and 
civil society leaders to take concrete steps to eliminate 
politically motivated violence. End Comment. 
 
TEITELBAUM