Group threatens xenophobic attacks on ‘foreign’ workers

An unknown group in Banda in the Brong Ahafo region, calling itself the ‘Concerned Members of Banda Ahenkro’ have vowed to violently evict all workers who are not natives of the town.

Through a notice to supposed strangers, the group said all foreigners working in the community must leave because their safety cannot be guaranteed.

The threats has led to the closure of more than forty percent of schools in the area while hundreds of civil servants working in the community have fled for fear of xenophobic attacks.

According to the group, the strangers have taken over all their jobs and lands in town at the expense of natives.

A teacher from Sunyani who works in Banda in an interview with Starr News stated that the Police have warned them to leave the town because their depleted numbers makes it impossible for them to protect the workers in the wake of any attack by the natives.

The teacher who spoke to Starr News on condition of anonymity stated that most of the government agencies have also shut down.

Wenchi Divisional Police Commander ACP Atsu Wemegah told Starr News that measures have been put in place to protect workers in the community.

He added that the Police is still gathering intelligence to identify the ringleaders of the group.

Meanwhile, a detachment of armed military personnel have also been deployed to Banda Ahenkro to restore calm in the area.