General News of Saturday, 25 May 2019
Source: citinewsroom.com
2019-05-25
Head of Local Government Service, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur
The Head of Local Government Service, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, has condemned attacks on some staff of the Chereponi District Assembly as well as the District Assembly coordinator, Alhaji Alhasan Fuseini.
Following the renewed violence in the area, the District Coordinating Director sustained a gunshot injury while his car was also set ablaze when he and some other officers were returning from a workshop Tamale on Monday.
At a press conference, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur said the Chereponi District Assembly official vehicle was set ablaze by armed residents after they attacked the vehicle with its occupants.
“While the District Coordinating Dire ctor Alhaji Alhasan Fuseini in the company of other officers, were returning to Chereponi after attending a workshop in Tamale, they were suddenly attacked by armed men suspected to be of the Konkomba ethnic group at a community called Garinkuka,” he said.
He explained that the coordinator and his officers had to abandon their vehicle after its tyres were deflated by gunshot and escaped in a security patrol vehicle that was conveying a dead body to Tamale.
“The armed men shot into the official pick up of the assembly, hitting the District Coordinating Director in the Head and legs. They also shot and deflated the tires. The driver however managed to drive to a distance where they had to abandon the vehicle and with the support of a security patrol team conveying a dead body to Tamale, escaped to a from the danger zone.”
“The community set the pickup ablaze. The District Coordinating Director was rushed to the Chereponi District hospital where he was treated and later discharged. He is currently at the Tamale Teaching hospital receiving treatment,” he added.
The assembly has since been closed down by angry staff who fear for the lives but Dr. Nana Ato Arthur has urged them to be calm.
He assured them that national security is in control of the situation.
“This action is unacceptable and must be condemned by all well meaning Ghanaians. In the meantime, we call on the staff of the Chereponi District Assembly to remain calm. I am aware that the Ministry of National Security is on top of the issue and will definitely be settled.”
Renewed conflict
Last month there were reprisal attacks in Chereponi, leaving many especially women and children displaced after their homes were razed.
This month clashes between Konkombas and Anafuls erupted again. At least sixteen persons have been arrested following reprisal attacks in Chereponi in the North East Region.
One of the suspects who fired at security personnel was shot in the thigh and is receiving treatment at Chereponi hospital under security guard.
The clashes intensified just days after President Akufo-Addo’s visit to the area where he admonished chiefs and people of Chereponi to bring to an end to the incidents of conflict and violence that have plagued the town.
President Akufo-Addo said “the Ghana that we are trying to build does not have space for conflict and violence. The seizure of lands by Konkombas and Anufors, we should try and stop those things. People have been farming for years, they know who farms on what land. We should try and bring those kinds of incidents to a conclusion. I am appealing through you for peace. Let peace remain here,” he said.
