Minister expresses worry about armed robbers

Koforidua, Aug. 21, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister, on Thursday expressed worry about activities of armed robbers who have virtually put the area under siege and killing innocent and hardworking citizens.

He commended the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) and the National Security Council, the police with support from the military who are working to reduce the activities of the criminals. Mr Afram Asiedu, who was addressing a meeting of the RCC in Koforidua, appealed for support from the District and Municipal assemblies, traditional authorities and well-meaning Ghanaians to the security agencies to be able to maintain peace and order in the region. He said he expected the assemblies to give logistic support to the police and military patrol teams that had been established in the various Police Divisions in the region.

"I am aware that the support undoubtedly entails heavy financial expenditures, which often overburden the assemblies, but I believe they are expenditures, which can be justified since we cannot allow the people of the districts to live in a state of perpetual fear and insecurity". Mr Afram Asiedu urged the general public to volunteer and furnish the security agencies with reliable information and tip-offs to enable them track down criminals. On chieftaincy, he said the region, like the rest of the country had its due share of chieftaincy disputes adding that though some of the disputes seemed dormant, a few were quite volatile. "For example but for the timely intervention of the security agencies, the installation of the new chief of Amanokrom would have turned violent".

"Also the Municipal Security Committee of West Akyem in collaboration with Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) had to adopt proactive measures to forestall any conflict between the chiefs and people of Asamankese and Anum during the celebration of Asetenapa festival of the Anums".

Mr Afram Asiedu said even though the 1992 Constitution did not allow the government or any of its agencies like the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC)to interfere in chieftaincy matters, "we will certainly move in to protect life and property when disputes threaten the security of the area". 21 Aug 08