THE Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command has arrested five persons, including the National President of the Ghana Susu Collectors Association, Mr Emmanuel Elvis Aboagye-Manu, 60, for allegedly possessing large quantities of black papers, cut into the size of the new Ghana cedis and a bottle of liquid, believed to be used in printing fake currency notes.
The other suspects are Kofi Oppong Boadi, 56, Abubakari Musah, 65, Philemon Hayford, 42, and Amponsah Kuffour, 62.
The Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Charles Seth Oteng, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic at the weekend, indicated that the suspects were arrested on September 27, 2008 by the Berekum Municipal Police upon a tip-off.
According to the regional police commander, the suspects had earlier sent Musah to Ayimanakro, in La Cote d’Ivoire, to secure the black pieces of paper, cut into the size of the Ghanaian currency and a bottle of liquid, which would be used to wash the black paper, which would finally turn into fake currency notes.
He alleged that the driver succeeded in securing the two items at the cost of GH¢100.00, after which he returned to the hotel in Berekum and subsequently informed Kuffour, who was then in Kumasi together with the other accomplices that he had safely arrived back with the items.
ACP Oteng again said Kuffour in turn relayed the message he had received from Musah to the other suspects on the latest development of their intended deal and requested that they all converge at the hotel again.
The regional police commander further intimated that while the suspects were about to drive out of the hotel in a Nissan Patrol 4x4 vehicle, believed to be owned by Aboagye-Manu, in which they hid a rectangular box containing the neatly packed black papers and the liquid, the police closed in on them and effected their arrest.
Mr Oteng, who showed the Daily Graphic the rectangular box which contained the black papers and the bottle of the liquid, indicated that the suspects were being rounded up under Currency Act 242 of 1964, adding that they would soon be put before court.
Monday, October 6, 2008
WATCHMAN DEFILES 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL (MIRROR, PAGE 35)
From Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Sunyani.
The Sunyani Municipal Police have arrested a 45-year-old watchman, Baba Mamudu at Kotokrom, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl after blindfolding, gagging and tearing her panties before abusing the girl sexually.
The teenager, who lives with her brother at Kotokrom, was said to have collapsed when she was on her way to the house after the suspect had released her and she was quickly rushed to hospital for treatment and was later discharged.
Superintendent of Police Charles Botwe, who is in charge of the municipality and disclosed this to The Mirror in Sunyani, quoted a doctor’s report that the ‘‘hymen of the girl had been perforated and there were clots of blood’’, and that the report asked her parents to deal leniently with her, since she was in a traumatised situation.
The municipal police commander indicated that about a couple of weeks ago the suspect contracted the victim to carry some quantity of corn from his farm but he refused to pay the girl the agreed amount.
Mr Botwe alleged that on Monday, September 29, 2008, the suspect invited her to his house at about 1:00 p.m. and with no one present at the time, Mamudu forced her into his room and abused her several times after which he gave her GH¢1.00 and released her.
According to the suspect, he had married twice and had three children from those marriages, and that he did not know what came upon him to abuse the girl sexually.
The Sunyani Municipal Police have arrested a 45-year-old watchman, Baba Mamudu at Kotokrom, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl after blindfolding, gagging and tearing her panties before abusing the girl sexually.
The teenager, who lives with her brother at Kotokrom, was said to have collapsed when she was on her way to the house after the suspect had released her and she was quickly rushed to hospital for treatment and was later discharged.
Superintendent of Police Charles Botwe, who is in charge of the municipality and disclosed this to The Mirror in Sunyani, quoted a doctor’s report that the ‘‘hymen of the girl had been perforated and there were clots of blood’’, and that the report asked her parents to deal leniently with her, since she was in a traumatised situation.
The municipal police commander indicated that about a couple of weeks ago the suspect contracted the victim to carry some quantity of corn from his farm but he refused to pay the girl the agreed amount.
Mr Botwe alleged that on Monday, September 29, 2008, the suspect invited her to his house at about 1:00 p.m. and with no one present at the time, Mamudu forced her into his room and abused her several times after which he gave her GH¢1.00 and released her.
According to the suspect, he had married twice and had three children from those marriages, and that he did not know what came upon him to abuse the girl sexually.
EXAM IMPERSONATORS FINED (MIRROR, PAGE 3)
From Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Sunyani
The Sunyani Magistrate’s Court B, presided over by Mr J.K. Quanson, has sentenced two candidates of the November/December West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate (WASSSCE) Examination to a fine of GH¢300.00 each or in default serve a prison term of two years each for impersonation.
The accused, Godwin Ampofo and Collins Anning, contravened Section 5A of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) Act 719/2006.
Police Inspector Simon Kwaku Azah, who presented the facts of the case, mentioned that both accused persons were unemployed and lived at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Tano North District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He said Ampofo and Anning registered to write this year’s edition of the WASSSCE with index numbers 1061516079 and 1061516078 respectively and that on September 13, 2008 at the WAEC examination hall in Sunyani the accused persons reported for the English Language Paper I examination.
Inspector Azah pointed out that the two candidates wrote the same name, Godwin Ampofo on their answer booklets with serial number SSSCE No. 3590862 and SSSCE No. 3590863 but Ampofo, the first accused (A1), deliberately failed to write the last digit of his index number.
The prosecutor further stated that in the course of the examination, the supervisor, Ms Veronica Ayeh, detected the deal and suspected an attempted impersonation and consequently reported the matter to the Controller of WAEC in Sunyani, Mr William Amexo.
He said the controller quickly moved in to cross-check the information and confirmed the impersonation. He therefore drew the attention of the police officer on duty who effected their arrest. In their caution statements to the police, the accused admitted the offence and were accordingly charged.
The Sunyani Magistrate’s Court B, presided over by Mr J.K. Quanson, has sentenced two candidates of the November/December West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate (WASSSCE) Examination to a fine of GH¢300.00 each or in default serve a prison term of two years each for impersonation.
The accused, Godwin Ampofo and Collins Anning, contravened Section 5A of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) Act 719/2006.
Police Inspector Simon Kwaku Azah, who presented the facts of the case, mentioned that both accused persons were unemployed and lived at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Tano North District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He said Ampofo and Anning registered to write this year’s edition of the WASSSCE with index numbers 1061516079 and 1061516078 respectively and that on September 13, 2008 at the WAEC examination hall in Sunyani the accused persons reported for the English Language Paper I examination.
Inspector Azah pointed out that the two candidates wrote the same name, Godwin Ampofo on their answer booklets with serial number SSSCE No. 3590862 and SSSCE No. 3590863 but Ampofo, the first accused (A1), deliberately failed to write the last digit of his index number.
The prosecutor further stated that in the course of the examination, the supervisor, Ms Veronica Ayeh, detected the deal and suspected an attempted impersonation and consequently reported the matter to the Controller of WAEC in Sunyani, Mr William Amexo.
He said the controller quickly moved in to cross-check the information and confirmed the impersonation. He therefore drew the attention of the police officer on duty who effected their arrest. In their caution statements to the police, the accused admitted the offence and were accordingly charged.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
AMBULANCE GIFT TO NKORANZA HEALTH CENTRE (PAGE 58)
The Nkoranza Kroye Kuo in Italy has donated an ambulance valued at €20,000 to the Nkoranza Health Centre in the Brong Ahafo Region at a brief ceremony in the town.
The donation of the vehicle was through a collaboration between the Nkoranza citizens, the International Association of Humanitarian Medicine (IAHM) and friends of the group, African Libra, both non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Italy .
Mr Osei Sarfo-Kantanka, chairman of the union, who handed over the vehicle, disclosed that the group, which was formed in 1992, had already presented beds and other hospital equipment to the health centre at a cost of €15,000, as well as 10,000 exercise books, to basic school pupils at Nkoranza, which also cost €1,800.
He cautioned that the ambulance was not meant to serve as a shuttle for staff at the centre but was particularly to provide ambulance service to patients within Nkoranza and its environs, and also advised the authorities at the hospital to ensure a regular maintenance to prolong its lifespan.
Receiving the keys to the vehicle, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nkoranza, Mr James Kwabena Appiah Awuah, also disclosed that the IAHM had provided €3,000 towards the renovation of the maternity block and another €3,000 for the purchase of office equipment.
He also disclosed that one Christiana Malaguti, a native of Busunya near Nkoranza, and her husband, Marino Malaguti, Chairman of the African Libra, had established a clinic at Nkoranza where patients were treated free of charge, and that the couple’s NGO had also constructed a kindergarten block at Busunya.
The DCE used the occasion to appeal to the people of Nkoranza to live in unity and harmony, especially in the run-up to the December elections and also to enable them to benefit from infrastructural development in the town and its environs.
The Medical Assistant at the centre, Mr Sylvanus Be-lr, indicated that with the operation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), attendance at the centre continued to increase, especially at the Outpatients Department (OPD), and therefore appealed for immediate expansion at the centre.
Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area and President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, who chaired the function, expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to members of the Kroyekuo and urged them to sustain such assistance to Nkoranzaman.
The donation of the vehicle was through a collaboration between the Nkoranza citizens, the International Association of Humanitarian Medicine (IAHM) and friends of the group, African Libra, both non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Italy .
Mr Osei Sarfo-Kantanka, chairman of the union, who handed over the vehicle, disclosed that the group, which was formed in 1992, had already presented beds and other hospital equipment to the health centre at a cost of €15,000, as well as 10,000 exercise books, to basic school pupils at Nkoranza, which also cost €1,800.
He cautioned that the ambulance was not meant to serve as a shuttle for staff at the centre but was particularly to provide ambulance service to patients within Nkoranza and its environs, and also advised the authorities at the hospital to ensure a regular maintenance to prolong its lifespan.
Receiving the keys to the vehicle, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nkoranza, Mr James Kwabena Appiah Awuah, also disclosed that the IAHM had provided €3,000 towards the renovation of the maternity block and another €3,000 for the purchase of office equipment.
He also disclosed that one Christiana Malaguti, a native of Busunya near Nkoranza, and her husband, Marino Malaguti, Chairman of the African Libra, had established a clinic at Nkoranza where patients were treated free of charge, and that the couple’s NGO had also constructed a kindergarten block at Busunya.
The DCE used the occasion to appeal to the people of Nkoranza to live in unity and harmony, especially in the run-up to the December elections and also to enable them to benefit from infrastructural development in the town and its environs.
The Medical Assistant at the centre, Mr Sylvanus Be-lr, indicated that with the operation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), attendance at the centre continued to increase, especially at the Outpatients Department (OPD), and therefore appealed for immediate expansion at the centre.
Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area and President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, who chaired the function, expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to members of the Kroyekuo and urged them to sustain such assistance to Nkoranzaman.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
MINE SAFETY, FIRST AID COMPETITION HELD (PAGE 20)
THIS year’s Zone Two mine safety and first aid competition, involving five mining companies in the country, has taken place at the Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) plant site at Kenyasi in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Central African Gold Company Limited at Bibiani in the Western Region emerged the champions with 64.3 points.
The other companies that participated in the oral safety and first aid test quiz, as well as practical safety and first aid test, were AngloGold Ashanti at Obuasi, which placed second with 62.5 points, NGGL came third with 62 points, Chirano Mines at Chirano in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District in the Western Region followed with 51.8 points while Ghana Bauxite Company at Awaso placed fifth with 49.6 points.
Central African Gold and AshantiGold have thus qualified to participate in the national contest, which has an overall aim of bringing together mining companies and community representatives towards creating safety and first aid awareness among themselves.
For the community representative competition, NGGL community team scored 72 points to emerge winners followed by Chirano with 70 points and Central African Gold community placing third with 69 points. The first two teams have, therefore, qualified to compete in the national event. All the teams that participated were presented with prizes and certificates.
Speaking at the function, the General Manager, Environment and Social Responsibility of NGGL, Mr Dan Michaelsen, dismissed the perception by a section of the people that mining companies cared little about the safety of human life and the environment.
He explained that mining companies had a great deal of responsibility to ensure that their activities were carried out under the safest possible conditions and with minimum negative impact on the environment, adding, “This responsibility extends not only to employees, but also to communities in which we operate.”
Mr Michaelsen further explained that the ever-increasing global awareness about workplace safety and the environment had led to a corresponding increase in public expectation for extractive industries to be responsible in their activities.
The general manager stressed that it was precisely the growing attention of the public and other stakeholders that had spawned many of the safety and environmental initiatives that modern mining companies now supported, adding that one of such initiatives was the zonal safety and first aid competition.
He observed that it was within the context of self-regulation that the Ghana Chamber of Mines in partnership with other stakeholders instituted the mine safety competition to celebrate and reinforce the safety values now demonstrated by the mining industry and their communities.
Mr Michaelsen expressed satisfaction about the community involvement in the programme because it emphasised the fact that safety was as important to communities as it was for the mining companies and that his company was proud to host the competition for the first time at a cost of GH¢50,000.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ms Joyce R. Aryee, in a speech read on his behalf, stated that the lack of indigenous blasting standards that suited local conditions had been a major concern for the mining industry.
The industry, she said, had to rely on standards from other countries, such as Australia and the United States of America.
To address this concern, Miss Aryee said, the Chamber in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, had obtained the support of the Mining Sector Support Programme (MSSP) of the European Union to conduct a study to establish the requisite standards that were relevant for the country.
Central African Gold Company Limited at Bibiani in the Western Region emerged the champions with 64.3 points.
The other companies that participated in the oral safety and first aid test quiz, as well as practical safety and first aid test, were AngloGold Ashanti at Obuasi, which placed second with 62.5 points, NGGL came third with 62 points, Chirano Mines at Chirano in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District in the Western Region followed with 51.8 points while Ghana Bauxite Company at Awaso placed fifth with 49.6 points.
Central African Gold and AshantiGold have thus qualified to participate in the national contest, which has an overall aim of bringing together mining companies and community representatives towards creating safety and first aid awareness among themselves.
For the community representative competition, NGGL community team scored 72 points to emerge winners followed by Chirano with 70 points and Central African Gold community placing third with 69 points. The first two teams have, therefore, qualified to compete in the national event. All the teams that participated were presented with prizes and certificates.
Speaking at the function, the General Manager, Environment and Social Responsibility of NGGL, Mr Dan Michaelsen, dismissed the perception by a section of the people that mining companies cared little about the safety of human life and the environment.
He explained that mining companies had a great deal of responsibility to ensure that their activities were carried out under the safest possible conditions and with minimum negative impact on the environment, adding, “This responsibility extends not only to employees, but also to communities in which we operate.”
Mr Michaelsen further explained that the ever-increasing global awareness about workplace safety and the environment had led to a corresponding increase in public expectation for extractive industries to be responsible in their activities.
The general manager stressed that it was precisely the growing attention of the public and other stakeholders that had spawned many of the safety and environmental initiatives that modern mining companies now supported, adding that one of such initiatives was the zonal safety and first aid competition.
He observed that it was within the context of self-regulation that the Ghana Chamber of Mines in partnership with other stakeholders instituted the mine safety competition to celebrate and reinforce the safety values now demonstrated by the mining industry and their communities.
Mr Michaelsen expressed satisfaction about the community involvement in the programme because it emphasised the fact that safety was as important to communities as it was for the mining companies and that his company was proud to host the competition for the first time at a cost of GH¢50,000.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ms Joyce R. Aryee, in a speech read on his behalf, stated that the lack of indigenous blasting standards that suited local conditions had been a major concern for the mining industry.
The industry, she said, had to rely on standards from other countries, such as Australia and the United States of America.
To address this concern, Miss Aryee said, the Chamber in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, had obtained the support of the Mining Sector Support Programme (MSSP) of the European Union to conduct a study to establish the requisite standards that were relevant for the country.
ELEVEN ARRAINGED FOR RIOTING IN BEREKUM (BACK PAGE)
ELEVEN people have been arraigned before the Sunyani Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in the violent clashes between supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Berekum on September 21, 2008, which resulted in six persons being injured.
They were charged with four counts of rioting with offensive weapons, causing unlawful damage, assault and causing harm.
The accused are Rashid Ahmed, alias Shine; Yaw Owusu; Muda Dramani, alias C.I.A.; Ransford Osei, alias Otaamu; Norbert, alias Sobojo; Richard Osei Bawuah; Muller Omar; Azigiza; Musah (at large); Awudu Seidu, alias Seidu Rasta; Kwasi Asoma and Emmanuel Erskine.
The court, presided over by Mr Kwame Ohene-Essel, granted bail to the accused in the sum of GH¢5,000 with one surety each to reappear on Monday, October 20, 2008. They are to report themselves to the police at 9:00 a.m. every Monday and Friday until the adjourned date.
The bail was necessitated by an application by their counsel, Mr Williwise Kyeremeh, that some prominent people of Berekum had offered to mediate and amicably settle the case out of court.
Before granting bail, Mr Ohene-Essel warned that he had the discretion to revoke the bail term and remand the accused in custody if they engaged in any further violent behaviour while on bail.
Presenting the facts of the case at the crowded court, Police Chief Inspector Kingsley Baafi stated that on September 21, 2008, the police granted a permit to the NPP executive in Berekum to inaugurate the youth wing of the party in the constituency.
He said at the end of the ceremony at 5:30 p.m., the NPP supporters decided to go on a procession through the principal streets of the town and finally converged on the main Berekum Roundabout, near the post office.
According to the prosecutor, about the same time information reached the police to provide protection for the NPP group because some NDC supporters were at another function at Senase and Biadan, both suburbs of Berekum.
He said based on that information, the police, under Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Charles Ampem Koosono, who is also in charge of the Berekum municipality, took cover at a junction near the Berekum Hospital where the NDC supporters were likely to pass on their return to Berekum.
Chief Inspector Baafi indicated that a few minutes later, the police saw some of the NDC supporters on bicycles and motorbikes entering Berekum from Biadan. The police quickly stopped them to redirect their route through the police station area to enter the town.
He said the police took that decision because if the NDC supporters used the roundabout route they would encounter the NPP supporters and that would result in a clash. However, he said the NDC supporters disobeyed the order by the police and insisted that they would use the roundabout route.
Chief Inspector Baafi further alleged that the NDC supporters started throwing stones and other missiles, an action which provoked the NPP supporters to retaliate. In the process, a stone from the NDC direction hit the Municipal Police Commander.
The prosecutor told the court that later in their investigations the police identified the accused persons who had actively taken part in the violence and they were accordingly charged with the offences.
They were charged with four counts of rioting with offensive weapons, causing unlawful damage, assault and causing harm.
The accused are Rashid Ahmed, alias Shine; Yaw Owusu; Muda Dramani, alias C.I.A.; Ransford Osei, alias Otaamu; Norbert, alias Sobojo; Richard Osei Bawuah; Muller Omar; Azigiza; Musah (at large); Awudu Seidu, alias Seidu Rasta; Kwasi Asoma and Emmanuel Erskine.
The court, presided over by Mr Kwame Ohene-Essel, granted bail to the accused in the sum of GH¢5,000 with one surety each to reappear on Monday, October 20, 2008. They are to report themselves to the police at 9:00 a.m. every Monday and Friday until the adjourned date.
The bail was necessitated by an application by their counsel, Mr Williwise Kyeremeh, that some prominent people of Berekum had offered to mediate and amicably settle the case out of court.
Before granting bail, Mr Ohene-Essel warned that he had the discretion to revoke the bail term and remand the accused in custody if they engaged in any further violent behaviour while on bail.
Presenting the facts of the case at the crowded court, Police Chief Inspector Kingsley Baafi stated that on September 21, 2008, the police granted a permit to the NPP executive in Berekum to inaugurate the youth wing of the party in the constituency.
He said at the end of the ceremony at 5:30 p.m., the NPP supporters decided to go on a procession through the principal streets of the town and finally converged on the main Berekum Roundabout, near the post office.
According to the prosecutor, about the same time information reached the police to provide protection for the NPP group because some NDC supporters were at another function at Senase and Biadan, both suburbs of Berekum.
He said based on that information, the police, under Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Charles Ampem Koosono, who is also in charge of the Berekum municipality, took cover at a junction near the Berekum Hospital where the NDC supporters were likely to pass on their return to Berekum.
Chief Inspector Baafi indicated that a few minutes later, the police saw some of the NDC supporters on bicycles and motorbikes entering Berekum from Biadan. The police quickly stopped them to redirect their route through the police station area to enter the town.
He said the police took that decision because if the NDC supporters used the roundabout route they would encounter the NPP supporters and that would result in a clash. However, he said the NDC supporters disobeyed the order by the police and insisted that they would use the roundabout route.
Chief Inspector Baafi further alleged that the NDC supporters started throwing stones and other missiles, an action which provoked the NPP supporters to retaliate. In the process, a stone from the NDC direction hit the Municipal Police Commander.
The prosecutor told the court that later in their investigations the police identified the accused persons who had actively taken part in the violence and they were accordingly charged with the offences.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
BA REGSEC BANS STREET PROCESSION BY PARTIES (PAGE 14)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has announced the banning of street processions by political parties in the Berekum municipality with immediate effect.
The decision of the council followed the violent clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Berekum on Sunday, September 21, 2008.
A letter signed by the Regional Co-ordinating Director (RCD), Mr F.O. Boateng, on behalf of the Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, and issued in Sunyani on Thursday said following the clash between the two parties, the REGSEC, chaired by the regional minister, had met the following day to discuss the issue and take measures to stop such acts in the run-up to this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections in December.
The letter, which was addressed to the municipal chief executive (MCE) for Berekum, with copies to the regional police commander, all the political parties, as well as the media, stressed that “the REGSEC had decided to ban street processions before and after political rallies in the municipality with immediate effect”.
The letter also directed the Municipal Security Committee to inform political party executives in the area accordingly and again urged the security agencies to strictly enforce the ban.
In a related development, the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seth Charles Oteng, has directed that all the district police commands in the region form election security task forces.
He said the membership of the task forces should include representatives of the security agencies, namely, the military, the Fire Service, the Immigration Service, the Customs, Exercise and Preventive Service and the Prisons Services.
Addressing a meeting of senior police officers in the region in Sunyani, ACP Oteng disclosed that already the regional police command had formed its task force, charged with the responsibility of educating the various political parties on the Public Order Act, among other duties.
He charged the officers to embark on intensive patrols before, during and after the elections, adding that they should also provide adequate security for the electoral officers, as well as all materials earmarked for the elections.
ACP Oteng urged the officers to ensure that their junior officers behaved themselves at all times in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Ghana Police Service and cautioned that any officer who failed in that direction would first face sanctions.
The Regional Police Commander again urged the officers to submit reports on activities in their various jurisdictions for action by the regional headquarters or the national headquarters.
The decision of the council followed the violent clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Berekum on Sunday, September 21, 2008.
A letter signed by the Regional Co-ordinating Director (RCD), Mr F.O. Boateng, on behalf of the Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, and issued in Sunyani on Thursday said following the clash between the two parties, the REGSEC, chaired by the regional minister, had met the following day to discuss the issue and take measures to stop such acts in the run-up to this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections in December.
The letter, which was addressed to the municipal chief executive (MCE) for Berekum, with copies to the regional police commander, all the political parties, as well as the media, stressed that “the REGSEC had decided to ban street processions before and after political rallies in the municipality with immediate effect”.
The letter also directed the Municipal Security Committee to inform political party executives in the area accordingly and again urged the security agencies to strictly enforce the ban.
In a related development, the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seth Charles Oteng, has directed that all the district police commands in the region form election security task forces.
He said the membership of the task forces should include representatives of the security agencies, namely, the military, the Fire Service, the Immigration Service, the Customs, Exercise and Preventive Service and the Prisons Services.
Addressing a meeting of senior police officers in the region in Sunyani, ACP Oteng disclosed that already the regional police command had formed its task force, charged with the responsibility of educating the various political parties on the Public Order Act, among other duties.
He charged the officers to embark on intensive patrols before, during and after the elections, adding that they should also provide adequate security for the electoral officers, as well as all materials earmarked for the elections.
ACP Oteng urged the officers to ensure that their junior officers behaved themselves at all times in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Ghana Police Service and cautioned that any officer who failed in that direction would first face sanctions.
The Regional Police Commander again urged the officers to submit reports on activities in their various jurisdictions for action by the regional headquarters or the national headquarters.
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