Drivers arrested for illegal demonstration in Aflao

Aflao, Dec. 31, GNA - Twelve taxi drivers were last Thursday detained by the Aflao police for demonstrating illegally on Thursday to force Mr. Simon Tengey, their branch chairman, out of office. The drivers, clad in red bands, tooted car horns and blocked the main ECOWAS highway linking the Aflao border with Togo. The police said the drivers violated the public order act that required citizens to seek and obtain police permit five days before embarking on a protest.

In a resolution to the branch executives and copied to the Volta Regional GPRTU, the drivers said they viewed the snap roadblocks mounted by the police as a harassment of mainly taxi drivers and accused Mr. Tengey of failing to fight against such a development in their interest. They also accused him of graft and failing to get them a car park in Aflao.

Mr. Tengey, who has been retained unopposed as the branch chairman along side other executives in an election held 20 days ago, denied any wrong doing in an interview with the GNA, saying he presented an audited report on his stewardship before the elections.

Mr. Tengey, who has been in that position for 20 years, wondered how he could be accused of failing to stop the police who were on their legitimate duty on the road.

"The scarcity of land space for development purposes in Aflao is known to all. A car park could not easily be put in place." Sources close to the police said the 12 drivers including their two leaders, Michael Midadje and Robert Azalekor, are being investigated and would be put before court for rioting. 31 Dec 06