Land and Chieftaincy disputes threatening security in U/W

Wa, Jan 21, GNA - Mr George Anko-Bil, Upper West Regional Police Commander on Saturday stated that Land and Chieftaincy disputes posed serious security threats to major towns and villages in the Region. He said apart from the Wa, Charia, Funsi, Nadowli, Wellembelle, Lawra and Nandom chieftaincy problems that the police were grappling with, land cases in Wa, Charia, Piisi/Konfabiala and Bulenga/Kporlegoh were also time bombs that could explode with the least provocation. Speaking at the annual end of year WASSA of the Regional Police Command, Mr Anko-Bil appealed to the Regional Security Council to urgently employ workable measures to prevent such precarious situations from occurring in the region.

He said although such disputes had not developed into fatal casualties yet, the inherent politicisation of chieftaincy and land issues had rendered the place ungovernable because law enforcement agencies were finding it difficult to implement laid-down rules for peace and progress.

Mr Anko-Bil also appealed to politicians and the elite in the region to preach peace and progress to the people instead of resorting to divisive tendencies that only retarded progress and development. The Regional Commander said although the region had adequate staff, there were not enough residential accommodation for them and called on various district Assemblies to consider supporting them to discharge their duties efficiently.

He appealed to the government to help the regional command acquire land to construct a training depot and a regional police quarters. He also called for adequate resources for the two Divisional Headquarters at Lawra and Tumu.

Mr Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister, pledged government's continued support to the Police Service to strengthen its fight against crime and general disorder in the region. He said as Ghana celebrates its 50th Independence anniversary, it behoved on the Police to exhibit a high level of decorum in the discharge of their duties, while not compromising their stand on sensitive issues in the region.

"The Police in the region have over the years exhibited professionalism and I do believe that such professionalism will be replicated this year to help us move ahead in development," Mr Dery said.

Some 21 police personnel were awarded at the ceremony for their meritorious service.

Sergeant Abudulai Abubakari, who was adjudged the 91Best Police' in the region, received a Deep Freezer, while Constable Vida Twum and Regimental Sergeant-Major Abu Jebuni who came second and third got a Table-Top Refrigerator and a Television set respectively. The 18 others were given certificates. The Police also undertook a two-hour clean-up exercise at the Wa Regional Hospital.