Chiefs and people of the Ketu South Municipality in the Volta Region have called on government to withdraw a group of armed security men deployed to the rural enclaves of the Municipality along the Ghana-Togo boarder since Thursday 18 June 2020.
The security personnel which include the military and officials of the Ghana Immigration Service are to protect the boarder following its closure in line with the Covid-19 protocols according to authorities in the region.
But addressing a press conference in Aflao today, Togbui Pasaku who spoke on behalf of Aflao Traditional Council called on government to withdraw the troops with immediate effect while alleging that their presence has led to some brutalities on the people of the traditional area.
“We the Chiefs and people of Aflao within the Ketu South Municipality are feeling surrounded by detachment consisting of the Army, Police, Immigration and National Security armed personnel in uniform. This detachment which looks more than an occupying force were deployed on Thursday, 18 June, 2020; tents were erected with checkpoints mounted all over the rural settlements, specifically Akato and Wudoaba.”
He indicated that deployment thus far inhibits economic activities and the free movement of people.
“The presence of the troops started causing fear and panic amongst the inhabitants when they embarked on house to house searches and brutalizing of motorbikers within the towns.
Additionally, the constant harassment of citizens occupying the boarder lands are having detrimental effects on agricultural and other produce being being brought to the market, especially the Wudoaba market.”
Togbui Pasaku IV noted that the traditional authority has always supported the Municipal Security Committee I enforcing the Covid-19 protocols thus finds the new detachment needless and capricious.
“The Aflao Traditional Council together with all the security agencies within Ketu South Municipality supported the government in its implementation of the protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the records are there to prove that MUSEC is on top of issues.
However, it should be notd that, silence in the face of brutalities being dished out to innocent citizens around the Municipality only goes to embolden the aggressor,” he stated.
Torgbui Pasaku IV cautioned that the Traditional Council would not countenance any of such abuse of power and brutalities being meted to the residents.
He said, “We as chiefs can not look on unconcerned when security personnel brutalizes our citizens. Please note that, because we are peace loving does not make us cowards; when the fire is lit, there would be no turning back and the said fire would consume everything on its path,” while calling on President Nana Addo to with the troops from the area.
The Ketu South enclave is one of the major entry points in the country, with the Aflao boarder being main entry point aside the many unapproved routes in the area.
Though authorities in the region explained that the presence of the security is to secure the closed boarders, the Aflao Traditional Council says their presence has led to brutalities and intimidation of the people of the Municipality thus are calling for the withdrawal of the security from the area.
Meanwhile, both the opposition NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party are at each other’s throat over the issue, while the Electoral Commission begins its new voter’s register registration exercise tomorrow.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm/Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu
