Security agencies hunt for assemblyman

The security agencies at Bawku have launched a manhunt for the assemblyman for Bansie Electoral Area in the Bawku East District for his alleged involvement in the murder for four Burkinabe citizens.

The assemblyman, identified only as Akortey, was said to have mobilised the youth of his area to ambush three vehicles in which the Burkinabe were fleeing last week's ethnic conflict.

Briefing the GNA at Bawku, the District Coordinating Director, Mr Ibrahim Alhassan said the Burkinabe, numbering 10, on hearing about the conflict, decided to make a detour through Bansie.

They were stopped and attacked by the rampaging youth. Six of them escaped but the four were killed and their bodies burnt and thrown into a nearby river. Their vehicles were also burnt.

This has created insecurity among Ghanaian travellers to Burkina Faso who fear revenge attacks.

Mr Alhassan said the Burkinabe transport union had written to their counterpart at Bawku seeking an explanation to the incident.

He said he would advise the Upper East regional minister Mr Mahami Salifu to organise a meeting with his Burkinabe counterpart to discuss the matter.

Mr Alhassan said a Ghanaian delegation would have to take the initiative by going to Burkina Faso in order to forestall any conflict among inhabitants of the border villages.

He said arrangements were being made to convey the vehicles to the premises of the district assembly.