Blame Kyei Mensah-Bonsu for Atwima Kwawoma violence - Assemblyman

Some Assembly members in the Atwima Kwawoma District of the Ashanti Region claim Majority Leader in Parliament and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu is behind the cause of the deaths of three residents of Foase over the siting of a district capital.

“Blame Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu for the deaths of these three innocent people in Foase….he is responsible for the chaotic situation”, Assemblyman of the area, Hon. Charles Fokuo alleged.

“Prior to the last general elections, he promised us that he will facilitate everything to ensure the district capital is not moved from Foase to Twedie despite the court ruling”, the Assemblyman spoke on Kumasi-based Nhyira FM.

“If any politician is to blame for the current development, the Suame lawmaker is responsible for all”, Hon. Charles Fokuo told host of “Kroyimunsem” political talk show host, Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin

Angry youth in the area last week mounted roadblocks and burnt car tyres to protest the relocation of the District capital from Ofoase to Twedie.

A confrontation between the youth and police officers who were deployed to the area to maintain order led to the death of three of the protesters.

The dispute over the relocation of the capital dates back to 2012 when the Supreme Court ordered it to be moved from Foase to Twedie.

But the apex court’s ruling was not implemented until a new Legislative Instrument (L.I) was laid in Parliament in 2017 to properly site the capital at Twedie.

In a related development, the Kumasi Traditional Council has initiated steps to address the issue behind the bloody protest.

In a bid to get to the heart of the issue, the traditional leaders have therefore summoned the Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area and Ashanti Regional Police Commander over the clashes.