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Calm and orderliness are gradually returning to Akyem Akooko in the East- Akim District of the Eastern Region, after a recent violent clash between the youth and supporters of a traditional priest that resulted in the death of one; and put the whole community in disarray.

The bloody clash between the youth of the community and supporters of one fetish priest, Nana Saaka, who was accused of killing people for rituals last Tuesday, resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

This caused a number of the protesters who demonstrated against the activities of the priest to flee from being arrested by the police on their arrival to ensure order at the scene.

According to the head of the Asona Clan of Akooko, Abusuapanin Yaw Okyere, there has been total peace and tranquility in the community, adding that the matter was still being looked into and that the youth who fled should return back home to live their lives freely as it was previously.

The clan head appealed to the youth who have fled the town to return home from wherever they may be hiding, assuring them of safety on their return.

He further appealed to the authorities to release seven other members of the community who were arrested and had since been in police cells after the violent clash.

The Queenmother of Akooko, Nana Afia Korantengmaa has also appealed to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama and the IGP to help bring back the youth who went into hiding.

According to her, some of these youth are bread winners to their families and that it had become a survival struggle for those who depended on them for their daily bread.

“Some J.H.S. graduates who are expected to be in their various placed Senior High Schools are still at home because their fathers who are supposed to pay their admission fees are part of these young men who have fled the town,” she lamented.

Residents of the community reportedly embarked on the demonstration to register their dissatisfaction against the activities of the fetish priest in the town.

Ten other people, including three policemen, were also injured from the gunshots fired during the clash.

The protestors went to the shrine of the fetish priest and burnt it down, an action which exasperated followers of the fetish priest who fired gunshots into the crowd killing three and injuring many.

The townsfolk allegedly set the house and vehicle of the fetish priest ablaze.