12 US citizens apprehended in Nkwanta South

Twelve African Americans, including six women, have been arrested in Nkwanta South, in the Oti Region, while travelling from Sokodé in Togo to Odomi-Challa in Ghana.

They were on a journey to trace their ancestral roots, but their arrival raised concerns due to ongoing unrest in the municipality.

With heightened vigilance in the area, some residents suspected that foreigners were being recruited to support factions in the conflict.

As a result, the travellers were intercepted by locals in a nearby community, who feared they might be linked to the tensions.

Despite the group’s insistence that their visit was purely cultural and personal, the suspicion led to their temporary detention.

The travellers cooperated fully, explaining their mission and sharing accounts of their ancestors who had been displaced during the transatlantic slave trade.

Authorities intervened promptly, with the police ensuring their safety.

Mats, travel documents, personal belongings, a mobile canopy tent, and other valuables were found in their possession.

Speaking in an interview, the Nkwanta South Sector Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service, Chief Superintendent Philip Gyekye Ninfa, confirmed that no illegal activities were detected.

He stated that the travellers had all the necessary documentation to be in Ghana.

However, on their way to Odomi, some individuals blocked their path, fearing they were warriors brought from Togo to participate in the ongoing conflict.

To prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of the group, authorities decided to escort them back to Togo, together with four Togolese drivers who had accompanied them.

Chief Superintendent Ninfa urged residents to remain calm, emphasising that the travellers had no connection to the unrest.