‘Deal with lawbreakers at Agbogbloshie’

The leadership of the Konkomba community at Agbogbloshie has called on the Police Administration to take bold steps to ensure that persons who were arrested for possessing ammunition are dealt with in accordance with the law.

They have also called on the National Peace Council (NPC), the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), the Office of the Chief Imam and other well-meaning Ghanaians to condemn the pockets of atrocities that were still going on in the aftermath of the clashes.

At a press conference held at the Konkomba Yam Market at Agbogbloshie in Accra yesterday, the Chairman of the area, Mr Noah Kwame Upuin, said the continued locking up of rooms and stores by some persons was inimical to the peace-building process.

Concerns

“Since the violent clashes occurred here about a week ago, we have embarked on peace campaigns to restrain our people from attacking any person. But it appears that it is not yielding much fruits because some persons within the Dagomba ethnic group are still locking up stores and ejecting our people from their rooms.

“We do not want to respond in equal measure because of the need for peace. Therefore, we are calling on the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) and the Office of the National Chief Imam and other peace-loving Ghanaians to condemn this action and support to bring lasting peace to the area,” Mr Upuin said.

Recall

A violent confrontation between some persons from the Dagomba and Konkomba ethnic groups in Agbogbloshie on April 11, this year led to the loss of one life and injury to scores of others.

The intervention by a combined team of police and military personnel prevented the violence, which was characterised by sporadic gunshots and brandishing of machetes, from escalating.

The police intensified its operations and patrols in the area leading to the arrest of some persons who were in possession of ammunition.

Touching on the arrests, Mr Upuin commended the police for their role in ensuring that relative peace returned to the area.

“Even as we laud the efforts of the police for the good work they have done, we still count on them to apply the law to the fullest to ensure that justice is done,” he noted.

 Police assurance

Speaking to the Daily Graphic later after the press conference by the group, the Accra Regional Police Operations Officer, Chief Superintendent Kwesi Ofori, gave the assurance that the police would ensure that all persons who had been arrested in connection with the violence were taken through the due processes of the law.

“The police is committed to the principle of justice no matter what the situation is, because the ultimate aim of law enforcement is to secure justice. So, those who have been arrested with arms and ammunition are before the courts and that is ample evidence of our commitment to the principles of justice.

“We are not here to favour any of the groups involved in the clashes, but rather, we are here to do a professional job to bring lasting peace to the area,” he said.

He further gave the assurance that the police would continue to be professional and tactful in providing security in the area.

“The police is committed to the peace and security of Agbogbloshie and that is why we have deployed our personnel to protect the residents.

 

“The police and the military have started unlocking some rooms and stores that had been locked for the owners to have access to them,” Mr Upuin added.

The leadership of the Konkomba community at Agbogbloshie has called on the Police Administration to take bold steps to ensure that persons who were arrested for possessing ammunition are dealt with in accordance with the law.

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