Anlo youth declare war

THE WAY FORWARD IN THE WAR IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2007 AT THE ACCRA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR CENTRE

On Sunday, the 11th of November, 2007 at Teacher’s Hall, Accra at a forum organized by Anlo Youth, the Chiefs and People of Anlo pledged their commitment to resolve the problems which resulted in the unfortunate bloodshed on the 1st of November, 2007. Today, we have heard the steps taken by the Chiefs of Anlo. We commend the Chiefs for the steps taken so far. Nonetheless, we would have wished that all the problems which compelled us to call on the people of Anlo to be present at the Teacher’s Hall will have been resolved by now.

From where we stand as the Youth of Anlo, one month is a long enough time to resolve the problems which led to the bloodshed. We demand resolution of the mystery surrounding the supposed installation of Awoamefia at a much quicker pace. We are here and now demanding a timeline for the resolution of the problems.

We will not allow ourselves to be betrayed. We cannot be betrayed! We wish to unequivocally state that we will not stop at anything calculated to subvert the time tested traditions and customs regarding the installation of Awoamefia. We demand unconditional show of courage on the part of the Chiefs and Dumegawo in the resolution of the problem.

The refusal of government: • to remove the Volta Regional Police Commander DCOP Bernard Dery and the Volta Regional Minister Mr. Kofi Dzamesi and the Keta District Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Ahiabor for their complicity in the violent events of 1st November 2007 and

• to set up an independent body to investigate these events leaves us in no doubt that government has failed to dutifully discharge its responsibilities towards the ordinary people of Anlo.

The state of affairs which led to Anlos fleeing from their homes for their dear lives still persists. We have personally met people who have narrated harrowing stories of how other Anlos are trailing them for victimization. Several of the people whose homes were unlawfully broken into by the Police and those who fled for fear of victimization are still unable to return home. We invite all of you to pay visits to these homes 29th December, 2007. We shall soon embark on a visit to Anlo to see the nature and extent of calm that has been restored.

We therefore demand from government to show unprecedented commitment to the resolution of the problem in Anlo and to refrain from peddling liars, misinformation, half truth, subterfuge and stratagem which rather aggravates the volatile situation in Anlo traditional area.

We have put in place concrete mechanisms to work towards the vindication of the rights of all those whose human rights were violated through the mass indiscriminate arrests, torture, murder, and other forms of dehumanizing acts.

Call on all citizens of Anlo to stand up and be counted - to contribute materially, financially and in kind to the war effort of Anlo.

We unreservedly support the Declaration of the War of Truth by Clan heads and Chiefs of Anlo.

F e yeye na mi.

Trade Fair La, Accra. December 16, 2007