Ghana-Togo border closed following riots

Aflao (V/R), Oct. 22, GNA - The Ghana-Togo border at Aflao in the Volta Region, has been closed due to a protest by the youth who are on a rampage in reaction to the shooting of a taxi driver. The driver was allegedly shot on Friday by an official of Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) Terminal for breaking immigration rules. The driver is said to be responding to treatment at the Ketu-South District Hospital.

The youth allegedly pelted the local office of the GIS with stones, smashing louvers and torched some buildings along the border. They also barricaded roads along Aflao-Avoeme, by setting fire to lorry tyres, causing vehicular traffic. Military detachment from the 66 Artillery Regiment and police from Aflao, Agbozume and Keta are currently in the town to maintain law and order.

A police source told the Ghana News Agency that the driver of the taxi in the early hours of Friday allegedly broke immigration rules by dropping a traveller in the Togolese territory, through "Beat 13," on the Ghana-Togo border.

The source said when the driver was returning, the Immigration Officer whose name is being withheld chased the car to the GPRTU terminal and as the driver stopped and was about to come out of the car, he allegedly shot him. Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister who chaired the meeting of a Regional Security Council meeting said the situation is under control. 22 Oct. 10