Demonstration disrupts commercial activities in Kumasi

Commercial activities in the Kumasi Metropolis came to a standstill as thousands of people turned out in a demonstration against Nana Akwasi Agyeman, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, on Thursday.

Stores in Adum and Kejetia, the hub of trading activities in the Metropolis, were closed for the demonstration. The Metropolitan Chief Executive is alleged to have sponsored "machomen" to beat up the Member of Parliament for Bantama, Dr. Richard W. Anane in Kumasi recently.

The demonstration dubbed "Yabrewo", was also to protest against the alleged beating up of the assemblyman for Santasi, Mr Agyemang Pambour, on September 13, by a group of machomen on the instructions of the Metropolitan Chief Executive.

Backed by brass band music, the demonstrators carrying placards, some of which read, "We are fed up with Akwasi Agyeman", "Away with dictatorship and brutalities", "Kumasi can no longer entertain Akwasi Agyeman", started from Amakom at about 0630 hours, through Adum to Kajetia and to Alabar, using the Roman Hill route.

At the Alabar spot, the police started firing tear gas to disperse the milling crowd, thereby creating confusion.

The demonstrators thereafter regrouped at Kajetia but once again, the police moved in to fire more tear gas. But the demonstrators, who remained unyielding, converged on the Adum Roundabout in front of the Wesley Methodist Church.

Some Members of Parliament participating in the demonstration attempted to seek audience with the Regional Police Commander, MrYaw Adu-Gyimah, to find out why the police was using tear gas against a lawful public demonstration.

The Commander refused to talk to the MPs who included Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Afigya-Sekyere West, Mr Osei Kwaku, Asokwa West, Dr Mathew Antwi, Atwima- Kwanwoma, Mr F. K. Bour, Offinso South and Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Manhyia.

Mr Kan-Dapaah and his colleague MPs after an abortive meeting with the Police Commander, announced to the demonstrators that the police could no longer guarantee their security and therefore they should disperse.

They assured the demonstrators that their next line of action would be communicated to them later.

Notwithstanding this announcement, they continued with the demonstration to different parts of the Metropolis including Bantama and Ashanti New-Town.

Meanwhile Nana Akwasi Agyeman has been invited to Accra by the Minister of the Interior, Nii Okaija Adamafio, in connection with the alleged assault.

Nine machomen, alleged to have been involved in the assault, have been arrested by the police.