Police, Queenmother flee as installation turns violent

Five policemen were injured following rioting at the installation of a chief at Akontanim in the Dormaa district on Monday.

A mob opposed to the installation of a new Akyempimhene, Mr Kwame Yeboah, went violent, hurling stones, sticks and other missiles and forcing the police, the Queenmother and other chiefs to flee for dear life.

District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent Charles Oduro-Botchway, who led a 17-member police platoon to the ceremony, was among the injured.

He sustained a deep cut in his forehead, which needed emergency surgery. The others were Constable S. Torgbor, Constable George Doe, Corporal J.K. Anyimah and Corporal Asem Boakye.

The Queenmother, Nana Ama Amponsah, her sub-chiefs and supporters of the new chief escaped through the bush to Dormaa Ahenkro but her house and others were vandalised and looted.

She told the Ghana News Agency at Dormaa Ahenkro on Tuesday that the mob stole more than a million cedis cash from her house and damaged other property.

DSP Oduro-Botchway said his office received a letter from the Dormaa Traditional Council informing the police about the installation.

Later, he said he received two other letters from the Akontanim Youth Association and the head of the royal family, expressing their opposition to the installation.

He said on the basis of the letters he led the police platoon to maintain law and order but on reaching the town " a mob attacked us from all directions with all kinds of missiles, compelling us to retreat".

Mr Oduro-Botchway said they were taken by surprise because they were only in the town to maintain order and not to support any faction.

A leader of the youth association, Richard Tuah, was arrested for his alleged role in inciting the mob against the police.

He has been granted bail pending further investigations.