Asafo Companies appealed for equal right and justice

Winneba, May 19, GNA - Tuafo Number One and Dentsifo Number Two Asafo Companies in Winneba have appealed to the government to take a second look at the town's chieftaincy dispute issue, which have deprived the citizenry peace and stability and to ensure that equal right and justice prevail.

Speaking to the press at Winneba, Supi Sam Odonsu Leader of Dentsifo and Obaatan Kwesi Armah-Sekum of Tuafo said that in recent times, especially during the Aboakyer Festival the police harassed innocent citizens in the town, by deriving powers from Neeyi Ghartey VII, Omanhene of Effutu State, adding that this does not augur well in the country democratic dispensation.

Recounting the event that happened a day before this year's Aboakyer Festival, the leaders of the two Asafo Companies said that a third force calling itself Tuafo Number One Asafo Company attacked their members, causing injuries to some of them.

According to them, the police were called for assistance and on arrival at the scene, one of the police vehicle's windscreen was smashed. Some of the rioters were arrested, but were freed later on the grounds that they were supporters of the Omanhene.

They stated further that until the chieftaincy dispute is resolved amicably, the two Asafo Companies will continue to hunt for a deer during every Aboakyer Festival, but vowed they would never present it to the present Omanhene of Effutu State.

They appealed to the Government and the National Security to use their good offices to bring the two factions together to give peace a chance in the town, also to save huge sums of money in deploying hundreds of security personnel to maintain law and order during every festival.

Ghana News Agency, in an interview with Mr Nicholas Gasu the Assistance Superintendent of Police in-charge of Winneba, neither denied police personnel harassing people nor arresting suspected rioters and later freed them.

He said the two Asafo Companies have their own agenda and condemned any calculated attempt to tarnish the good reputation the Police Service is enjoying in the town. Mr Gasu assured the citizens of Winneba of the police readiness in coming to their aid whenever the need arises.