Tafo crisis: MP not doing enough - Aning

Security analyst Dr. Kwesi Aning has said Member of Parliament (MP) for Tafo-Pankrono, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei, needs to do more than just appeal to his constituents to keep cool heads in the Tafo crisis.

Tafo has seen increased violence due to tensions between traditional authorities and members of the predominantly Muslim Zongo community over a piece of cemetery land. Clashes between the two groups left one dead and other properties torched in February.

A few weeks ago, over 150 youth besieged the palace of the Tafo chief, Nana Agyin Frimpong II, demanding guns for their protection.

Dr. Akoto Osei, while interacting with constituents on Thursday, August 11, appealed to them to keep calm as a lasting solution is sought after.

But Dr. Aning, speaking to Class News, said a wider understanding and investigation of the issues within the Tafo area needed to be done in order to tackle the situation before it escalates.

“Most definitely this is something that is not just a matter of cool heads. We need a more appreciated understanding of what the local dynamics are and to ask some very difficult questions. … What are the networks that may be supporting these disturbances? What are the networks that people in Tafo may have with others outside this country? Because if you look at what is happening not just in Tafo, but in the wider Ashanti Region, in terms of arms caches, in terms of arms flow, we need a wider, deeper, and compact understanding and analysis of what is happening in Tafo,” he stated.

“I think Dr. Akoto Osei must be seen and heard by his constituents: he must go out there, listen, build trust, build confidence in his ability to carry these concerns to Accra, and get it resolved or work closely with Commissioner Kofi Boakye and ensure that people feel secure and safe from fear,” the security analyst added.