Dumsor vigil talks in deadlock

The much talked-about May 16 #DumsorMustStop vigil against the power crisis that has bedevilled the nation may suffer a major setback as the Ga chiefs insist on stopping the event.

The supposed peaceful vigil is being organised by some celebrities led by actress Yvonne Nelson, with Lydia Forson, rapper Sarkodie and a host of others. They are apparently angry at the intermittent power supply which has come to be known as dumsor.

A meeting among the police, organizers of the star-studded- event and the Ga Traditional Council to iron out some misunderstanding ended in a deadlock yesterday.

This was when chiefs of the Ga state stood their ground that they would not allow the event to take place as planned in view of a ban on drumming and noise-making – which is in force in parts of Accra – in spite of suggestions by the La chief fetish priest that the proposed venue for the event is part of La stool lands and not affected by the ban.

Present at the meeting were the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Christian Tetteh Yehonu and his men, four of the traditional rulers and lawyers for the organizers of the event, Kofi Bentil and Nana Akwasi Awuah.

The police had earlier on Tuesday inspected the proposed venue of the event at Legon and were satisfied until yesterday when they met the chiefs.

The Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) ASP Afia Tenge, told DAILY GUIDE “the meeting ended in a deadlock… the Ga traditional people were insisting there is still a ban so it ended in a deadlock.”

On the other hand, she related that lawyers for the event organizers also insisted that the procession would not attract noise making but would be a peaceful and solemn march hence, should be allowed to proceed as planned.

The PRO said, “We are still negotiating to see if we can reach a compromise.”

She was however, not certain when they would meet again over the issue.

One of the lawyers, Nana Akwasi Awuah, also told the paper, “The police had no objection to our event; however, the Ga Traditional Council is not satisfied with our assurances that this is going to be a peaceful event. So that is how come it ended in a stalemate.”

He was of the belief that “The ban on drumming and noise-making does not mean that life must come to a standstill in Accra.”

Nana Awuah was hopeful that the Ga chiefs would soften their position for the vigil to come on.