Police deny ‘Alavanyo gun manufacturing base’ story; demand apology from media

The Volta Regional Police Command has denied media reports attributed to the Regional Commander, DCOP Francis Ebenezer Doku suggesting Alavanyo has become a base for the manufacturing of assault weapons.

According to earlier publications, DCOP Francis Doku who was briefing journalists on the recent shootout between youth in Alavanyo Dzogbedze and security officials, said weapons being used to commit crime in the area were not only imported into the area but also produced there.

“When it comes to the manufacture of gun, Alavanyo is leading in the country and even in West Africa… As we speak, there are people who go there on duty to guard the manufacturing base,” Volta Regional Police Commander, Doku reportedly said.

“As weapons are being imported into Alavanyo, they themselves are manufacturing weapons. There is a location that we have identified where over 70 AK47 are being kept but if the chief is to come here today, he will tell you there is not even a single AK47 in his area,” he is quoted to have said in earlier publications.

But the Volta Regional Police Command has referred to the above publication as fake and, therefore, demands an unqualified apology from the media.

“We wish to state that the news is fake, scandalous and calculated to tarnish the image of the command,” the Volta Regional Police Headquarters emphatically stated in a communique signed by DCOP FE Doku.

Read full statement below

Rebuttal of “Gun manufacturing base in Alavanyo, Police fear to move in”

The Volta Regional Police Command refers to general news of Sunday 20th January, 2019 carried out on Ghanaweb which was culled from 3 NEWS on the above subject matter and wish to state that the news is fake, scandalous and calculated to tarnish the image of the command.

You would recall that on the 17th of January, 2019 a cross section of the Volta Regional Executives of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) led by the President Mr. Kafui Kanyi called on the Regional Command and sincerely apologised for the unethical and unprofessional manner the above story was carried.

As much as the command wants to have a cordial working relationship with the media, it will not condone any act that will undermine its integrity which will ultimately bring the image of the Ghana Police Service into disrepute. We therefore call for an unqualified apology and immediate withdrawal of the story.