Japekrom Clashes: Security agencies failed us – Jaman South MP

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Jaman South, Yaw Afful, has blamed the ghastly clashes between residents in Japekrom and Drobo in the Brong Ahafo Region on the failure of security intelligence.

At least three people died in the clashes with 15 others injured.

The two communities and six others are currently under dusk to dawn curfew as security officials and other relevant agencies fashion out a solution to the problem.

Speaking to the host of the Morning Starr Francis Abban, Mr. Afful maintained that had the security agencies picked up signals early enough, the clashes could have been prevented.

“I think our intelligence committee has failed. Clearly, if they have alerted us to beef up security in the area, I believe the administration would have done that. Nothing of that sort was related to us. So clearly…there was a security failure,” the Jaman South lawmaker said.

Calling on the government to immediately intervene, he said:“We are dealing with a sensitive issue here. It looks as if it’s escalating by the day. In the past, it has been just a shouting match and that’s it. But for people to be pulling guns, I believe it is about time the leadership, in this case, I would say the government to find a lasting solution to this else we don’t know what will happen the next day.”

Meanwhile, the government has out-rightly condemned the violence with a call on the security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.

Deputy Information Minister Pius Enam Hadzide also speaking on Morning Starr said: “The development in the Brong Ahafo Region to be precise Japekrom and Drobo is quite unfortunate and it is our position that the law should take its course and we want the security agencies to do their work without fear or favor.”

“It’s the most reprehensible act,” he added.