NPP bemoans situation in Ga State, calls for restraint

Accra, June 16, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday called on the security agencies to uphold law and order, in order not to let the situation in the Ga State degenerate further into total chaos and bloodshed.

In addition, all Gas should exercise restraint in these trying times, while the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs expedited action urgently in the resolution of this all important issue that borders on the peace of Accra.

The call was contained in a statement issued in Accra by Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, NPP General Secretary.

It said, 93The New Patriotic Party (NPP) shares the deep anxiety and disgust of residents in Accra and indeed all Ghanaians at the seeming breakdown of law and order, which has resulted in the "enstoolment" of two Ga Mantses in Accra within a week." "Ghanaians are aware of a sitting Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah, enstooled over five years ago. We are also aware of suits filed against the said Ga Mantse, which are receiving attention at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs at Dodowa."

"While we all await the outcome of these suits duly filed before the appropriate body, we have witnessed the chaotic situation of the installation of two other Ga Mantses subsequently," it added. According to the statement 93It is reported that a group of people armed with guns and machetes besieged the Ga Stool House (Sein Shia) in Ga Mashie and brutalised occupants of the Stool House. Last Saturday, a counter attack at the Stool House resulted in further brutalisation of innocent people and destruction of property. On Monday June 13, the Ga Mantse's Palace at Kaneshie came under siege." "In all of these skirmishes, attacks and counter attacks, and resulting brutalisation and destruction of property, there has been no response from the security agencies to restore order, despite reports of several appeals to the Jamestown and Regional Offices of the Ghana Police Service."

"In the face of this chaos, there are further reports that youth from other areas of Accra were mobilizing to attack the supporters of the second Ga Mantse."

"There are further reports of even a third claimant to the Ga Stool and a resultant third 93enstoolment".

"The lack of response of the Security Agencies to the attacks, counter attacks and danger to life and property since Friday at the Ga Mashie Stool House, and the siege and takeover of the Ga Mantse Palace since last Monday is baffling."

"The decision of claimants to the Ga Stool, who have duly filed claims at the regional body, to take the law into their own hands, threaten public order, especially at this time, when suits are pending, coupled with the seeming apathy of national security agencies, raises a lot of questions," the statement added. 16 June 11