NINETEEN trucks with full loads of lumber suspected to have been illegally obtained from forest areas in the Eastern Region have been impounded by a joint police/military operation in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District.
The lumber, believed to have been brought from the Atiwa Forest Reserve and others in the Fanteakwa and the Kwaebibirem districts, as well as the East Akyem Municipality, were seized at the Suhum Chainsaw Lumber Market on Saturday and Sunday.
They were about to be conveyed to the various wood markets, mostly in Accra when the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), accompanied by the police and the military, carried out a swoop on the lumber market.
The trucks, most of which had no registration number plates, were reportedly abandoned by the drivers and their mates on seeing the security presence in the area. The trucks wre driven to the Eastern Regional Police headquarters in Koforidua by the police/millarty team.
Reports indicate that during the operation at the market, some individuals who came forward to prevent the confiscation of the lumber attempted to bribe the security personnel with GH¢10,000, but they turned down the offer.
Briefing newsmen on the incident at a press conference in Koforidua yesterday, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said on Saturday, August 8, 2009, the REGSEC received intelligence report that some trucks loaded with lumber had parked at Suhum, ready to be moved to various destinations, especially Accra.
Based on the information received, he and other security members, including the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, the regional BNI commander and the CID officer, as well as some military and police personnel, moved to Suhum, where they found the 19 trucks loaded with the lumber.
He noted that the nation’s environment, mostly the forest covers, were being degraded by the activities of some “group of organised mafias in the wood industry, who did not care about the repercussions of their action on the ecology and the entire population”.
He called on the owners of the trucks and the lumber to assist the police to conduct investigations to determine the source of the lumber.
The minister said “the right thing must be done, and I, therefore, entreat the owners of the truck and the lumber to contact the task force or the Eastern Regional Forestry Commission office to identify their trucks and prove that they have permits to deal in lumber,”.
The regional minister commended the security personnel for their braveness in confronting illegal chainsaw activities, saying “we must duly reward them to motivate them to show commitment in the fight against illegal lumbering in the country”.
“Until we design plans to recognise and motivate our security task force for the good work they are doing, all our commitment to stop illegal lumbering in the country may not yield any positive outcome,” Mr Ampofo stated.
He, however, appealed to security men aiding individuals and syndicate engaged in illegal lumbering to refrain from such act, adding that “the law must deal harshly with those found guilty”.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Henry Ford Kamel, said as part of measures to check illegal chainsaw operation in the country, a number of task force committees had been set up at the national, regional and district levels across the country.
Additionally, he indicated, the government, in partnership with the security agencies, had intensified highway patrols in forest areas in the country to fight the menace.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
ZAIN GHANA HANDS OVER ODUMASE PRESBY JHS BLOCK (BACK PAGE)
ZAIN Ghana yesterday inaugurated and handed over a new six-unit classroom block to the Odumase Presbyterian Junior High School in the Lower Manya District in the Eastern Region.
The unit is furnished with tables and chairs, stocked with 30 computers connected to the Internet, a library, a staff common room , a headmaster’s office, washrooms, a rain harvesting facility and a pumping machine.
The building, which is disability-friendly, was constructed within three months in fulfilment of a promise the management made to the people of Krobo-Odumase to rebuild their dilapidated school building.
The facilities of the school will be made available for use by surrounding schools in the district.
The reconstruction of the 121-year-old crumbling structure, which is the only government JHS in the area, followed a publication of the plight of the school in the May 7, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic.
The report revealed that the school faced imminent closure since the crumbling building was not only a danger to the students and teachers but also did not provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Parts of the roof of the structure, which had never been rehabilitated since it was constructed in 1883, often flew about anytime it rained, leading to the death of a 13-year-old student, Bernard Nartey, on one occasion.
He was killed by falling debris that also injured three other students during a heavy downpour as the children run for cover.
In an address at the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Executive of Zain Ghana, Mr Chris Gabriel, expressed the pride of his outfit to be associated with the provision of the new six-unit classroom block for the pupils of the Odumase Presbyterian JHS.
“We are not only proud to have delivered on our promise but are also proud of the high spirit and passion our staff showed towards the construction of this facility that will put a smile on the faces of these future leaders,” he stated.
“Since our children are the future leaders, who have a basic right to education, we are resolved to work with stakeholders to ensure a bright future for these young ones,” he added.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey Enyo, commended Zain Ghana, for demonstrating the commitment to educational development in the country as part of its corporate social responsibility.
According to him, the new school building would immensely provide a suitable teaching and learning environment not only for the students of the school but also for others in the surrounding schools in the district.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, also commended Zain Ghana, for its commitment to educational development in the country, adding, “you have proved by your commitment that you are a worthy ally to form a partnership with to build a wonderful world for our people”.
Responding to an appeal by the headteacher of the school, Mr Ampofo directed the Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly and the district education directorate to help fence the school to protect it against activities of criminals.
The headteacher of the school, Mr Seth Aryeetey, praised Zain Ghana, for their prompt response to the needs of the school, a gesture that, he said, would go a long way to improve teaching and learning.
The unit is furnished with tables and chairs, stocked with 30 computers connected to the Internet, a library, a staff common room , a headmaster’s office, washrooms, a rain harvesting facility and a pumping machine.
The building, which is disability-friendly, was constructed within three months in fulfilment of a promise the management made to the people of Krobo-Odumase to rebuild their dilapidated school building.
The facilities of the school will be made available for use by surrounding schools in the district.
The reconstruction of the 121-year-old crumbling structure, which is the only government JHS in the area, followed a publication of the plight of the school in the May 7, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic.
The report revealed that the school faced imminent closure since the crumbling building was not only a danger to the students and teachers but also did not provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Parts of the roof of the structure, which had never been rehabilitated since it was constructed in 1883, often flew about anytime it rained, leading to the death of a 13-year-old student, Bernard Nartey, on one occasion.
He was killed by falling debris that also injured three other students during a heavy downpour as the children run for cover.
In an address at the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Executive of Zain Ghana, Mr Chris Gabriel, expressed the pride of his outfit to be associated with the provision of the new six-unit classroom block for the pupils of the Odumase Presbyterian JHS.
“We are not only proud to have delivered on our promise but are also proud of the high spirit and passion our staff showed towards the construction of this facility that will put a smile on the faces of these future leaders,” he stated.
“Since our children are the future leaders, who have a basic right to education, we are resolved to work with stakeholders to ensure a bright future for these young ones,” he added.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey Enyo, commended Zain Ghana, for demonstrating the commitment to educational development in the country as part of its corporate social responsibility.
According to him, the new school building would immensely provide a suitable teaching and learning environment not only for the students of the school but also for others in the surrounding schools in the district.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, also commended Zain Ghana, for its commitment to educational development in the country, adding, “you have proved by your commitment that you are a worthy ally to form a partnership with to build a wonderful world for our people”.
Responding to an appeal by the headteacher of the school, Mr Ampofo directed the Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly and the district education directorate to help fence the school to protect it against activities of criminals.
The headteacher of the school, Mr Seth Aryeetey, praised Zain Ghana, for their prompt response to the needs of the school, a gesture that, he said, would go a long way to improve teaching and learning.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
BABA JAMAL CALLS FOR PEACE IN AKWATIA (PAGE 16)
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia Constituency, Baba Jamal, has stated that the rerun of election at the six polling centres in Akwatia should under no circumstances be allowed to derail the prevailing peace and unity in the town.
He, therefore, appealed to voters in the area not to perceive the upcoming election as a “do-or-die” affair by engaging in unnecessary violent acts that could cause tension and bloodbath during the polls.
“We should not be interested to see any blood spilt because of my or anybody’s political ambitions to win the Akwatia Constituency. Our focus should rather be on how we can remain peaceful and tolerant towards one another,” he stated.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua on Sunday, Mr Jamal said “we must not use election to engage in needless bickering, insults, tribal politics and preach hatred to the people”.
His appeal for peace and tolerance followed allegations being made against him by some of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) executive members in the Akwatia Constituency that he recently went to one of the mosques at Akwatia and declared a Jihad on the upcoming election.
Mr Jamal, who is currently the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, said although the rerun of the election in six out of the 89 polling centres could determine who would emerge the winner of the polls, the people must not allow themselves to be swayed by politicians who had considered it as a “do-or-die” affair.
“Since the prevailing peaceful co-existence and unity in the Akwatia are more important than any parochial political interest, be it me or any other politician, we must resolve to remain committed to tolerating one another’s political views and shun violence outright,” he emphasised.
Buttressing his point, he stated that since the Electoral Commission (EC) declared August 18, this year as the date for the rerun of the election, he had personally been preaching peace and tolerance at all social gatherings, on funeral grounds, at mosques and churches.
Mr Jamal, therefore, wondered why Akwatia Constituency NPP executive had been making several unfounded allegations against him, “portraying me as the one who is masterminding the entire violent acts in Akwatia”.
“The very people who are inciting the masses to engage in violence and other criminal acts are the same fellows who always turn round and point accusing fingers at me, painting me negative in the minds of the people,” he stated.
Citing one violent incident to justify his point, Mr Jamal asked, “Do you know the group of people who assaulted the Adom FM and Metro TV reporters whose camera was also destroyed last Friday?”.
“It was not members of the NDC but those from the NPP who perpetrated the act right in front of their party office at Akwatia. These are the very people who claim it is NDC supporters who are violent,” he stressed.
On his prospect of winning the election, Mr Jamal said he stood a better chance of emerging the winner, since five out of the six polling stations were located in the Zongo communities.
He, therefore, appealed to voters in the area not to perceive the upcoming election as a “do-or-die” affair by engaging in unnecessary violent acts that could cause tension and bloodbath during the polls.
“We should not be interested to see any blood spilt because of my or anybody’s political ambitions to win the Akwatia Constituency. Our focus should rather be on how we can remain peaceful and tolerant towards one another,” he stated.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua on Sunday, Mr Jamal said “we must not use election to engage in needless bickering, insults, tribal politics and preach hatred to the people”.
His appeal for peace and tolerance followed allegations being made against him by some of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) executive members in the Akwatia Constituency that he recently went to one of the mosques at Akwatia and declared a Jihad on the upcoming election.
Mr Jamal, who is currently the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, said although the rerun of the election in six out of the 89 polling centres could determine who would emerge the winner of the polls, the people must not allow themselves to be swayed by politicians who had considered it as a “do-or-die” affair.
“Since the prevailing peaceful co-existence and unity in the Akwatia are more important than any parochial political interest, be it me or any other politician, we must resolve to remain committed to tolerating one another’s political views and shun violence outright,” he emphasised.
Buttressing his point, he stated that since the Electoral Commission (EC) declared August 18, this year as the date for the rerun of the election, he had personally been preaching peace and tolerance at all social gatherings, on funeral grounds, at mosques and churches.
Mr Jamal, therefore, wondered why Akwatia Constituency NPP executive had been making several unfounded allegations against him, “portraying me as the one who is masterminding the entire violent acts in Akwatia”.
“The very people who are inciting the masses to engage in violence and other criminal acts are the same fellows who always turn round and point accusing fingers at me, painting me negative in the minds of the people,” he stated.
Citing one violent incident to justify his point, Mr Jamal asked, “Do you know the group of people who assaulted the Adom FM and Metro TV reporters whose camera was also destroyed last Friday?”.
“It was not members of the NDC but those from the NPP who perpetrated the act right in front of their party office at Akwatia. These are the very people who claim it is NDC supporters who are violent,” he stressed.
On his prospect of winning the election, Mr Jamal said he stood a better chance of emerging the winner, since five out of the six polling stations were located in the Zongo communities.
'YOUTH MUST REFRAIN FROM UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLES' (PAGE 3)
THE Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Nana Addo Dankwah I, has made a passionate appeal to the youth to refrain from unhealthy lifestyles and the desire to seek shortcut to material riches in the pursuit of their future ambitions.
This, he said, would enable them to chart a meaningful path to become responsible citizens and achieve their future aspirations.
“As youth with a promising future, you should be mindful that your indulgence in drug and alcohol abuse, pre-marital sex and Sakawa today can seriously jeopardize your future ambitions and possibly destroy you,” he stated.
He was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area to mark the Adeibutuo ceremony at his palace at Akropong last week.
Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah said the unprecedented undesirable attitudes among the youth were not only gradually destroying Ghana’s reputation as one of the most respected countries in Africa and the world but also destroying the youth”.
The event, which preceded the celebration of this year’s Odwira Festival on September 14, was attended by a large gathering of people from all walks of life, mostly chiefs and queens of the area.
Recalling the inspirational words of the US President, Barack Hussein Obama, when he visited Ghana, the Okuapehene reminded the youth that the future of the nation lay solely in their hands and that any success or failure of the country would depend on the kind of future they desired to build for themselves.
“For this reason, the youth must always be mindful of the fact if they are determined to achieve an enduring success in life, they must refrain from Sakawa, pre-marital sex, drug and alcohol abuse, which will only destroy them,” he stated.
“Since we believe that the future of the country belongs to the youth, they should not enter the future with these types of undesirable characteristics which can easily affect the psychic of the nation,” he added.
The Okuapehene reminded the youth that with determination and perseverance they could always make it in life, saying “you must only acquire the needed knowledge, skills and patriotism to build your capability to achieve your dreams”.
“We you can achieve big dreams when we value today and the future by avoiding lifestyles that can predispose you to avoidable dangers and destructions,” Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah added.
This, he said, would enable them to chart a meaningful path to become responsible citizens and achieve their future aspirations.
“As youth with a promising future, you should be mindful that your indulgence in drug and alcohol abuse, pre-marital sex and Sakawa today can seriously jeopardize your future ambitions and possibly destroy you,” he stated.
He was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area to mark the Adeibutuo ceremony at his palace at Akropong last week.
Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah said the unprecedented undesirable attitudes among the youth were not only gradually destroying Ghana’s reputation as one of the most respected countries in Africa and the world but also destroying the youth”.
The event, which preceded the celebration of this year’s Odwira Festival on September 14, was attended by a large gathering of people from all walks of life, mostly chiefs and queens of the area.
Recalling the inspirational words of the US President, Barack Hussein Obama, when he visited Ghana, the Okuapehene reminded the youth that the future of the nation lay solely in their hands and that any success or failure of the country would depend on the kind of future they desired to build for themselves.
“For this reason, the youth must always be mindful of the fact if they are determined to achieve an enduring success in life, they must refrain from Sakawa, pre-marital sex, drug and alcohol abuse, which will only destroy them,” he stated.
“Since we believe that the future of the country belongs to the youth, they should not enter the future with these types of undesirable characteristics which can easily affect the psychic of the nation,” he added.
The Okuapehene reminded the youth that with determination and perseverance they could always make it in life, saying “you must only acquire the needed knowledge, skills and patriotism to build your capability to achieve your dreams”.
“We you can achieve big dreams when we value today and the future by avoiding lifestyles that can predispose you to avoidable dangers and destructions,” Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah added.
OYOKOHENE LEADS CLEAN-UP EXERCISE (BACK PAGE)
THE chief of Oyoko in the New Juaben Municipality, Nana Kodua Kesse II, has appealed to the residents of the area to keep their surroundings clean so as to stay healthy and strong.
This, he said, would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the area’s socio-economic development and that of the country.
He was addressing residents of the area after a two-hour clean-up exercise by the chiefs and people of the town over the weekend.
The exercise formed part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Kodua Kesse as the Oyokohene.
According to him, while the government was determined to make quality healthcare services more affordable through the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the scheme had, since its establishment, come under severe financial constraints.
He attributed this problem to the abuse of the scheme by the people, most of whom reported at the various health facilities with sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, malaria, typhoid fever, dysentery and many others.
He, therefore, appealed to the people to strictly adhere to environmental cleanliness to enable them to set good examples to their children.
This, he said, would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the area’s socio-economic development and that of the country.
He was addressing residents of the area after a two-hour clean-up exercise by the chiefs and people of the town over the weekend.
The exercise formed part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Kodua Kesse as the Oyokohene.
According to him, while the government was determined to make quality healthcare services more affordable through the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the scheme had, since its establishment, come under severe financial constraints.
He attributed this problem to the abuse of the scheme by the people, most of whom reported at the various health facilities with sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, malaria, typhoid fever, dysentery and many others.
He, therefore, appealed to the people to strictly adhere to environmental cleanliness to enable them to set good examples to their children.
Monday, August 10, 2009
TWO CARS BURNT AT AKWATIA (1B)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman
THE political climate in Akwatia turned sour last Friday, when two private vehicles belonging to the Constituency Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Ernest Kwame Ankrah, and the chief of Akyem Abenaso were burnt down by unknown assailants.
Mr Ankrah’s Mazda 626 saloon car and the Ford saloon vehicle of Nana Owusu Boateng, Chief of Akyem Abenase, who is believed to be a sympathiser of the NPP, were reportedly set on fire around 3.15 a.m by two young men whose identities are yet to be established.
The assailants were said to have gone to the houses of Mr Ankrah and Nana Owusu at Akyem Boadua, near Akwatia, in a white Tata pickup, in which they fled after committing the criminal act.
The Akwatia Constituency Secretary of the NDC, Mr Kwesi Ofori Abroakwah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident in a telephone interview, said Nana Osei reported that around 3.15 a.m. on Friday, he was woken by an unusual noise near the house.
He said when the chief peeped through his window, he saw two young men igniting the two vehicles, but the young men immediately jumped into the waiting pickup when the chief emerged from his room.
Mr Abroakwah, however, stopped short of linking the act to the heightening political tension in Akwatia.
“Since we could not find out who the culprits were or determine the registration number of the Tata pickup, we will not want to suspect anybody until the outcome of the police investigations,” he stated.
“It is the outcome of police investigations that will determine or prove the background of the culprits. Until then, we can not accuse anybody,” he explained.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, confirmed the incident, but indicated that the police had commenced investigations to find out who the culprits were.
According to him, to forestall any further tension in the town, the police had deployed a number of men who were patrolling the town to ensure the security of the people.
“We will maintain our physical presence prior to and after the August 18 rerun elections,” DCOP Andoh-Kwofie assured.
The Akwatia Constituency is set to go for a rerun of the December, 2008 parliamentary election in six polling stations.
The polling stations are Yuroba Mosque ‘A’, Yuroba Mosque ‘B’, Lorry Station ‘A’, Lorry Station ‘B’, Presby JSS and AME Zion Church.
The total registered voters for each of the six polling stations at Akwatia are Presby JSS, 1,183; Yuroba Mosque ‘A’, 920; Yuroba Mosque ‘B’, 838; Lorry Station ‘A’, 610; Lorry Station ‘B’, 626 and AME Zion Church, 404.
The constituency has 89 polling stations and when 83 polling stations were declared at the close of the poll in December, the NPP candidate, Dr Kofi Asare obtained 16,889 votes as against 13,810 by his NDC counterpart, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed. Mr Basil Ahiable, independent candidate polled 1835 votes while Mr Samuel Adjei of the Convention Peoples Party had 109 votes with Mr Samuel Abrokwah, another independent candidate polling 64 votes.
THE political climate in Akwatia turned sour last Friday, when two private vehicles belonging to the Constituency Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Ernest Kwame Ankrah, and the chief of Akyem Abenaso were burnt down by unknown assailants.
Mr Ankrah’s Mazda 626 saloon car and the Ford saloon vehicle of Nana Owusu Boateng, Chief of Akyem Abenase, who is believed to be a sympathiser of the NPP, were reportedly set on fire around 3.15 a.m by two young men whose identities are yet to be established.
The assailants were said to have gone to the houses of Mr Ankrah and Nana Owusu at Akyem Boadua, near Akwatia, in a white Tata pickup, in which they fled after committing the criminal act.
The Akwatia Constituency Secretary of the NDC, Mr Kwesi Ofori Abroakwah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident in a telephone interview, said Nana Osei reported that around 3.15 a.m. on Friday, he was woken by an unusual noise near the house.
He said when the chief peeped through his window, he saw two young men igniting the two vehicles, but the young men immediately jumped into the waiting pickup when the chief emerged from his room.
Mr Abroakwah, however, stopped short of linking the act to the heightening political tension in Akwatia.
“Since we could not find out who the culprits were or determine the registration number of the Tata pickup, we will not want to suspect anybody until the outcome of the police investigations,” he stated.
“It is the outcome of police investigations that will determine or prove the background of the culprits. Until then, we can not accuse anybody,” he explained.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, confirmed the incident, but indicated that the police had commenced investigations to find out who the culprits were.
According to him, to forestall any further tension in the town, the police had deployed a number of men who were patrolling the town to ensure the security of the people.
“We will maintain our physical presence prior to and after the August 18 rerun elections,” DCOP Andoh-Kwofie assured.
The Akwatia Constituency is set to go for a rerun of the December, 2008 parliamentary election in six polling stations.
The polling stations are Yuroba Mosque ‘A’, Yuroba Mosque ‘B’, Lorry Station ‘A’, Lorry Station ‘B’, Presby JSS and AME Zion Church.
The total registered voters for each of the six polling stations at Akwatia are Presby JSS, 1,183; Yuroba Mosque ‘A’, 920; Yuroba Mosque ‘B’, 838; Lorry Station ‘A’, 610; Lorry Station ‘B’, 626 and AME Zion Church, 404.
The constituency has 89 polling stations and when 83 polling stations were declared at the close of the poll in December, the NPP candidate, Dr Kofi Asare obtained 16,889 votes as against 13,810 by his NDC counterpart, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed. Mr Basil Ahiable, independent candidate polled 1835 votes while Mr Samuel Adjei of the Convention Peoples Party had 109 votes with Mr Samuel Abrokwah, another independent candidate polling 64 votes.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
TENSION MOUNTS AT AKWATIA (PAGE 12)
POLITICAL tension is brewing at Akwatia following an alleged assault of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Youth Organiser for the Akwatia Constituency by thugs believed to be sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) last Wednesday.
The victim, Mr Emmanuel Acheampong was alleged to have been slapped from behind and kicked several times by the thugs who also destroyed his mobile phone.
The three alleged assailants, two of them twins, who were said to be residents of Akwatia Zongo, confronted Mr Acheampong when he went to buy food from a spot near his house at about 10 p.m.
After the assault, he was reported to have been rushed to the St Dominic’s Hospital at Akwatia, where he was treated and discharged the same day.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the incident in a telephone interview, the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia Constituency, Dr Kofi Asare, said, rumours are rife in the town that the thugs were allegedly ordered to kill Mr Acheampong”.
Dr Asare appealed to the police to carry immediate investigations into the incident and arrest the three assailants in order to calm tension in the town, failure of which the conduct of a smooth rerun of the parliamentary election at Akwatia on August 18, this year, might be marred.
“Since the incident took place, we have not seen any attempt on the part of the police to investigate and arrest the assailants who may be emboldened to mete out similar assaults on other NPP activists in the town”, he stressed.
According to Dr Asare, if the police failed to conduct immediate investigations into the assault, they would only “succeed in confirming the people’s fear that the police are only out to protect members of the NDC and not those belonging to the NPP”.
Dr Asare added, “failure of the police to find the assailants will also compel the people, especially sympathisers of the NPP to advise themselves and take control of their own security”.
He particularly appealed to President John Evans Atta Mills to act as a true father of the nation by ordering investigations into the incident, stressing “we must not see him as a father in words but also in action”.
On the upcoming rerun of the parliamentary election, Dr Asare appealed to the security forces, especially the police to be impartial in the discharge of their professional duty, emphasising “they must appear to be protector of all people not just a few during the election”.
When contacted on the incident, sources at the Akwatia police station indicated that although they had heard of the reported assault on the NPP Youth Organiser, “the party executive have not made any complaint to the Akwatia police”.
The victim, Mr Emmanuel Acheampong was alleged to have been slapped from behind and kicked several times by the thugs who also destroyed his mobile phone.
The three alleged assailants, two of them twins, who were said to be residents of Akwatia Zongo, confronted Mr Acheampong when he went to buy food from a spot near his house at about 10 p.m.
After the assault, he was reported to have been rushed to the St Dominic’s Hospital at Akwatia, where he was treated and discharged the same day.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the incident in a telephone interview, the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia Constituency, Dr Kofi Asare, said, rumours are rife in the town that the thugs were allegedly ordered to kill Mr Acheampong”.
Dr Asare appealed to the police to carry immediate investigations into the incident and arrest the three assailants in order to calm tension in the town, failure of which the conduct of a smooth rerun of the parliamentary election at Akwatia on August 18, this year, might be marred.
“Since the incident took place, we have not seen any attempt on the part of the police to investigate and arrest the assailants who may be emboldened to mete out similar assaults on other NPP activists in the town”, he stressed.
According to Dr Asare, if the police failed to conduct immediate investigations into the assault, they would only “succeed in confirming the people’s fear that the police are only out to protect members of the NDC and not those belonging to the NPP”.
Dr Asare added, “failure of the police to find the assailants will also compel the people, especially sympathisers of the NPP to advise themselves and take control of their own security”.
He particularly appealed to President John Evans Atta Mills to act as a true father of the nation by ordering investigations into the incident, stressing “we must not see him as a father in words but also in action”.
On the upcoming rerun of the parliamentary election, Dr Asare appealed to the security forces, especially the police to be impartial in the discharge of their professional duty, emphasising “they must appear to be protector of all people not just a few during the election”.
When contacted on the incident, sources at the Akwatia police station indicated that although they had heard of the reported assault on the NPP Youth Organiser, “the party executive have not made any complaint to the Akwatia police”.
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