Chiefs bolt as man’s ear is chopped off in clash between NPP, NDC supporters over DRIP machines

A reported clash between supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is said to have left an individual with a severed ear in the Gomoa West Constituency of the Central Region.

According to a report by GhOne TV, a brawl erupted during the commissioning of some earthmoving equipment received by the constituency as part of the government’s District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).

A video of the incident, sighted by GhanaWeb, shows the machines, including vehicles, parked at the venue while supporters engaged in a heated confrontation.

Some cars, suspected of belonging to government officials and senior civil servants present for the event, were also speeding away from the venue.

According to the GhOne TV report, some chiefs who were present for the event had to take to their heels when the violence erupted.

As part of the government’s effort to enhance Ghana’s road network, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, July 31, launched the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) and commissioned essential equipment at Black Star Square in Accra.

A major component of the programme includes the distribution of a comprehensive fleet of 2,240 pieces of equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers, and low beds, expected to be crucial in improving the nation’s road network.

The onward distribution of the machines to the district levels, however, has been characterised by apprehension between members of the two main political parties.

The decision by the ruling party to adorn some of the equipment with its colours and posters of its presidential and parliamentary candidates has led to violence in some constituencies.

A court at Awutu Breku in the Central Region, on Monday, September 16, 2024, for instance, granted bail to three NDC members after they were earlier remanded into custody for removing posters belonging to the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya West, Eugene Arhin.

Appearing in court on Monday, September 16, 2024, the suspects, including the NDC Communications Officer for Awutu Senya West, Cassius Otoo Larbi, were granted self-recognisance bail by the presiding judge, Her Ladyship Naomi Konto.

The suspects were arrested for allegedly removing the NPP candidate’s posters from some earthmoving machines delivered to the constituency under the government’s District Road Improvement Project (DRIP).

They are also accused of threatening to deal with an eyewitness who captured their actions on video.

Chiefs run away after one man's ear is chopped in a clash between NPP and NDC at Gomaa West in the Central Region... #ElectionHub #EIBNetwork #GHOneNews #GHOneTV pic.twitter.com/1bMn0m1oUb

— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) September 16, 2024

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