State of emergency is still needed in Dagbon -Minister

There is still the need for the state of emergency and the presence of the security agencies in the Dagbon Traditional area, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Acting Interior Minister said on Friday.

He had prayed Parliament to grant the government's request for an extension of the state of emergency to nurse peace and security that had eluded the area since the killing of Ya-Na and his elders in March. "The security forces in the Dagbon Traditional Area have in recent time observed a concerted effort to flood the area with arms and ammunition," he disclosed

According to the minister on 2 June, this year, 15 pieces of Russian-made shotguns were intercepted at the Fufulso checkpoint from the Brong Ahafo Region and that almost 20 assorted foreign and locally made weapons have been seized at roadblocks in the area since the state of emergency was imposed. A cordon and search operation at Bimbilla recently led to the seizure of twenty 20 shotguns and quantity of ammunition."

Dr Addo-Kufuor, who is also the Defence Minister, said the state of emergency also offered the security forces the needed space to escort the feuding gates uninterrupted to and from Sunyani to appear before the Wuaku Commission. He said farming and commercial activities had improved, but said the curfew period from 9.00 pm to 5.00am would be maintained to enable security forces monitor the situation effectively.

The Minister apologised for initial human rights abuses committed by the security forces, saying that investigations were being conducted into them. The Minority reiterated its call on President Kufuor to visit the area.