Wechiau Traditional Council Distances Itself from Youth Actions, Defends MP and DCE

The Wechiau Traditional Council has dissociated itself from the actions of a group of youth who recently prevented the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu, and the District Chief Executive, Hon. Richard Wulo, from accessing the Wechiau Naa’s palace.

In a press statement issued by the Head Prince of the Wechiau Traditional Area, Naa Gomah Ahmed, on behalf of the Paramount Chief (Wechiau Naa), the Traditional Council described the actions of the youth as unauthorized, unfortunate, and aimed at embarrassing the palace, the Traditional Council, and the reputations of the MP and DCE.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on 29 December 2025 when some irate individuals, claiming to be members of the Wechiau Youth Association (WYA), blocked the MP from entering the palace and later issued a press release and granted interviews to the media.

The Council stated emphatically that the group did not receive any directive from the Wechiau Naa or any elder of the Traditional Council.

The Council further noted that it is not aware of the existence of any recognized association known as the “Wechiau Youth Association” and described the actions and allegations of the group as mere youthful exuberance, adding that all the claims made against the MP and DCE were fabricated and could not be substantiated.

Addressing allegations that Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu had refused calls to visit the palace, the Council clarified that the claim was false. It explained that the MP was once invited while he was out of the country, and upon his return, he duly apologized for the delay—a gesture that was accepted by the Paramount Chief and his sub-chiefs. The statement added that the MP later convened a fruitful meeting with the chiefs and the DCE at the palace to discuss district matters.

On the issue of alleged inaction by the MP regarding the Kandeu–Lassia Tuolu impasse, the Traditional Council dismissed the claim, stressing that there is no broader ethnic conflict in the Wa West District. The Council clarified that apart from the flashpoint at Lassia Tuolu, the district remains peaceful and that efforts are ongoing to resolve the matter.

It disclosed that the MP has initiated mediation talks between the factions at the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, led by the Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozung.

The statement emphasized that these developments had earlier been explained to the four gates of the Wechiau Traditional Council and the youth of Wechiau at a meeting held on 13 December 2025.

The Traditional Council therefore described the youth’s accusations as unacceptable and baseless, reiterating that there is no evidence to support claims that the MP was acting in a biased manner in the dispute.

The Wechiau Naa’s palace reaffirmed that it remains open to all well-meaning persons, particularly government officials, and extended an unreserved apology to the MP and the DCE for any distress caused by the incident.

The Council expressed hope that the long-standing cordial relationship between traditional authorities and government officials would be maintained.