The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the disturbing secessionist acts that took place in parts of the Volta and Eastern Regions last Friday, 25 September 2020.
According to the NPP general secretary, John Boadu, the developments would be shameful and unacceptable in any country, let alone a functioning democracy like Ghana, which boasts an enviable track record on the African continent.
About 31 members of the secessionist Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) had been arrested in connection with the 25 September 2020 disturbances, which took place in nine locations in the Volta and Eastern Regions.
The group blocked various roads in the Volta Region on Friday at dawn, resulting in gridlocked traffic in and out of the region.
Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, Boadu said as a responsible political party, the “NPP … condemns the acts of violence, attempts to attack sensitive installations and the attacks on security agencies under the guise of a secession movement”.
Unfounded claims
The NPP joined many traditional and religious leaders to condemn the developments in the Volta and Eastern Regions and called on the government to deal once and for all with the threat posed by Togoland seccessionists.
On 16 November last year members of the HSGF declared independence for the territory they call “Western Togoland”. Charles Kormi Kudzodzi (aka Papavi), the 83-year-old leader of the separatist group, made the announcement for the separation of Western Togoland from Ghana after a meeting in the Volta regional capital, Ho.
However, speaking at the news conference, Boadu insisted: “The historical accounts show clearly that the claims being made by the proponents of this agenda have got their facts totally wrong in the first place. Additionally, the geographical areas that the perpetrators seek to extend their activities to, in some cases, even fall outside the original areas that were involved in uniting with Ghana.”
He added: “Violence and attacks would not be an acceptable approach to advancing any argument in the Ghanaian democracy. We join voices with all well-meaning Ghanaians to speak up against the developments and encourage the government to deal with the developments in accordance with law and with good conscience.”
Forget scoring points
The NPP further called on all political parties in Ghana to support efforts by the government and traditional and religious leaders to address the situation comprehensively.
“The usual tendency of political parties to attempt to make political capital out of every situation should be eschewed from this front,” Boadu said.
“What we need is a united response to the developments to demonstrate to the few troublemakers that we all will not condone any efforts by any persons to create tensions and insecurity in any part of our beautiful republic.”
Wilberforce Asare / Asaase Radio
* Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online.
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
#asaaseradio #TVOL
