Gomoa in confusion as chief "cries wolf"

Apam (Central Region) - Apam, the capital of the Gomoa District was on Monday thrown into confusion and state of insecurity when the chief, Nana Edu Effrim X, caused a gong-gong to be beaten at dawn informing the people about an imminent attack on them by the people of Mumford, a nearby town.

Nana Effrim instructed the people to get their guns, cutlasses, clubs and other missiles, which could be used for fighting ready for war on Friday and that those who needed gun powder should contact him.

He further instructed the people not to travel or go to sea that day but to get ready for a combat. The chief, however, did not give reasons for the perceived attack.

When the GNA visited Mumford to ascertain the truth in the allegation, the town was very quiet. Supi Kweku Abbiw, leader of the Asafo companies said they received the news about the "intended" attack on the people of Apam with shock and dismay.

Supi Abbiw said it seemed the chief of Apam had a hidden agenda because two years ago, "during the celebration of our annual festival, which is observed at the first weekend of November, Nana Effrim hired a taxi and went round the town spreading false news that the people of Mumford were preparing to attack them."

Supi Abbiw said Mumford had a boundary dispute with Apam, which was determined in favour of Mumford about 10 years ago. "Since the judgement went in our favour, we do not see what benefit we can derive from that perceived attack," he said.

He appealed to the security agencies to bring the chief to order since his actions and utterances were highly provocative. "If Nana Effrim is hungry for a war, he should look for his opponents elsewhere and not at Mumford, because we know the value of peace."

Meanwhile the Agona Swedru Divisional Command of the Police Service has dispatched a team of policemen to Apam and Mumford to investigate the allegation. The Gomoa District Chief Executive, Miss Joyce Aidoo, who was out of town before the incident appealed to the people of Apam not to take the law into their own hands but to exercise restraint.

She said a report had been made to the Regional Minister for the necessary action. In a related development, the leadership of Apam Youth and Development Association (AYODEF) has expressed concern about the behaviour of their chief and urged him to be circumspect in handling issues concerning the security of the people.