Mob attacks Regional Minister

Tuobodom (B/A), Aug 26, GNA - A mob at Tuobodom chased Nana Kwadwo Seinti, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, and a delegation from the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) out of the town after a failed attempt by the delegation to launch 'Yekrom' an album released by the Villages, a musical group.

The album, which seeks to mitigate the effect of the controversial "Yefri Tuobodom" song produced by another musical group, 'Nkasei', was scheduled to be launched by the Regional Minister but was rejected by the people.

The youth also rejected an apology by MUSIGA on behalf of 'Nkasei', insisting that the group should account for the disgrace that the song had visited on the people of Tuobodom.

In the ensuing confusion, Nana Seinti and the MUSIGA delegation comprising National and Ashanti Regional Executives of the Union, led by Alhaji Sidiku Buari, National President, abandoned the programme and fled from the town.

'Professor' Kofi Abraham, a renowned gospel musician and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of MUSIGA, was attacked by the youth and his Opel Vectra saloon car was vandalized. He, however, managed to escape unhurt.

Earlier at a meeting with the chiefs of the town, Alhaji Buari expressed regret about the "YEFRI TUOBODOM" album and expressed the hope that the people would accept their apology. He conceded that the song had cast a slur on the people of Tuobodom, stressing that "music must rather be played to enhance peace and cohesion in society".

Mr Daniel Frempah, an opinion leader, said the people of Tuobodom were not "a bunch of uncivilized people as the clip of the music portrays.

"Tuobodom, with a population of 13,000, have had a tarred road for the past 42 years", he said and urged other musicians to take a lesson from the impasse.

In response to the apology Nana Obeng Ameyaw Barima II, the Tuobodomhene, said he was not happy about musicians using Tuobodom to make money as well as to mock the people.

He said the "YEFRI TUOBODOM" album had made life "unbearable" for citizens of Brong-Ahafo, particularly the people of Tuobodom, noting that music, as a powerful tool, should be used to foster development and not disunity.

Other members of the MUSIGA delegation included Prince Osei-Kofi, National Welfare Officer, Kofi Agyeman, Brong-Ahafo Regional Chairman, Mr. C.S.T. Amankwaa, Brong Ahafo Vice-Chairman and Prince Yawson alias Waakye.