Ashaiman is not haven of mischief - Togbui Aheto

Torgbui Foli Aheto, a former Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, has advised residents to shame people who perceive the area (Ashaiman) as a "haven of mischief".

He said residents should desist from violent acts, especially after the Supreme Court had declared its verdict on the 2012 election petition, which seeks to challenge the declaration of President John Mahama as the winner.

Making the call at the weekend at a peace forum in Ashaiman organized by the Ashaiman Divisional Police Command in collaboration with the Ashaiman Divisional Council, Torgbui Aheto said it was about time residents, especially the youth, shamed Ghanaians who continue to anticipate chaos in the area after the verdict.

Torgbui Aheto, who is also the Chief of the Ewe Community within the township, said even though Ashaiman had been marked by the Police as one of the flashpoints in the country, residents should rewrite that impression.

He said being labeled as notorious people did not auger well for the town, adding that residents must resist any attempt by politicians to use them to foment trouble.

He also cautioned the media against the use of sensational headlines and careless utterances.

"Most people accept everything said in the media as the truth without any verification," he said.

Mr. Alfred Agbesi, MP for Ashaiman, said “our actions should yield a positive image for Ashaiman.”

He urged the Police to arrest and prosecute any person who stirred trouble in the town.

Mr. Agbesi advised opinion leaders and tribal heads in the town, not to intercede on behalf of any "trouble maker" arrested by the police.

Chief Superintendent David Eklu, Ashaiman Divisional Commander, said 15 flashpoints had so far been identified in Ashiaman and that police officers would be assigned to these areas to ensure peace and safety of lives and property.

He assured the public that the police would not intimidate or harass anybody, saying "Police personnel would be available to protect everybody, and would only deal with the recalcitrant ones."

Chief Supt. Eklu said street jams by political parties or other identifiable groups should also be avoided after the verdict, adding unlawful assemblies for the purpose of political debates on the outcome of the ruling would also not be tolerated.

He again said reckless riding and display with motor cycles and tooting of horns of vehicles would also not be entertained.

Nii Annan Adzor, Ashaiman Mantse, chaired the forum and asked participants to send the message of peace to everyone in the Municipality.

The forum participants included the constituency chairmen for the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party, together with the tribal heads and other youth associations in the town.