Government places curfew on Akwatia

Koforidua, Aug. 17, GNA - Government has imposed a curfew on Akwatia from 1900 hours on Sunday to 0600 hours to forestall further clashes between political parties and their supporters ahead of the Tuesday August 18, 2009 parliamentary election. Mr Cletus Avoka, Minister of Interior, who stated this in a statement, said the curfew takes immediate effect. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, therefore, announced this at an emergency Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) meeting on Sunday evening.

The Regional Minister, who chairs the REGSEC, said information reaching the Council indicated that in spite of the large presence of a combined team of police and the military, tension was looming at Akwatia and the people of Akwatia were not safe. The Akwatia Constituency election, to be held in only six polling stations, became necessary when similar violence broke out last year in the December general elections, which compelled the EC to call off the declaration of the results.

Mr Ampofo said in view of reports from the various security agencies and the Kwaebibirem District Security Council (DISEC) and the imposition of the curfew, the REGSEC wished to appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC) to postpone the election until such a time that peace would return in the area.

He stressed that, examining the situation and considering the recommendation from the DISEC, the REGSEC could not guarantee the safety and security of the electorate.

Mr Ampofo said since Saturday, many violent incidents had occurred at Akwatia and on Sunday morning information reaching him indicated that the NDC candidate, Mr Babal Jamal, had been affected when a canister was thrown around the NDC constituency office where he happened to be. He said the police had not relented in their efforts in keeping peace in Akwatia. He added that they had intensified their search for suspicious characters whose aim has been to foment trouble. Mr Ampofo noted again that it was mindful of the mandate of the EC to conduct elections at any time and the police to ensure security, but said in the case of Akwatia, the REGSEC in its advisory role could not guarantee the security of the people.

He called on the media be circumspect in their reportage. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Stephen Andoh-Kwoffie, Eastern Regional Commander, said the situation had become precarious and therefore people should be conscious of their personal security. He also asked all injured person to report the matter to the police first to aid them in their investigations and desist from rushing to the media to announce it.

According to the Regional Commander, that phenomenon was hindering criminal investigations into many of assault cases that had been reported and urge the media to help the police by directing any such persons to the police. 17 Aug. 09