Coronavirus: Regional Minister allegedly incites chaos at Atebubu Zongo

The Bono East Regional Minister, Kofi Amoakohene, has been accused by the opposition for allegedly causing chaos and fear at Atebubu Zongo in a bid to enforce President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ban on social gathering to fight the Coronavirus outbreak.

According to a statement signed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Bono East Regional Youth Organizer, Bilal Muazu Sulemana, some members of the SWAT Unit invaded the mosque at Atebubu Zongo by the order of the Minister.

The statement indicated that the SWAT Unit, aside attempting to subject a group of young men to brutality, issued sporadic gunshots in the air with the excuse that the group who were found in the mosque breached the president’s order.

“The disruptions by the unidentified security men has worsened the fear and panic situation in the area as the SWAT team later shutdown all the mosques within the area before leaving,” part of the statement reads.

Following the event, Sulemana stated that the situation could have been handled properly without disrespecting the Zongo Chief and Municipal Chief lmam as well as causing fear and panic in the neighbourhood.

“…the Municipal Chief Imam leads Congregational prayers during ordinary days hence their action could have been done with much respect and decorum acknowledging the fact that with the presents of these two respected personalities- the Zongo Chief and Municipal Chief lmam they could have talked to the youth for a peaceful dialogue.

“We are at this moment calling on the Regional Minister who doubles as MP for Atebubu Amanteng not to use his office as head of the Bono East Regional Security Council to intimidate his political opponents with the least opportunity he gets.” He added.

Read the full statement below

FEAR AND PANIC GRIPS ATEBUBU ZONGO COMMUNITY AS REGIONAL MINISTER ORDERS HIS MEN TO CAUSE CONFUSION.

We are all aware of the global situation with regards to Convid-19 and Ghana is not and an exception.To paraphrase President Nana Addo Dankwa,we are not in normal times.

It would be mind boggling for security men from the SWAT Unit to invade the mosque of the Atebubu Zongo Chief to order about six young men out to be arrested and try to subject them to brutality with several gunshot in the air with the excuse that they are breaching the Presidents order against public gathering. This has really left the residents of Atebubu Zongo into fear and panic.As SWAT team later shutdown all the mosques within the area and left.

It is worth saying that for the sake of public health and safety,all must abide by the directions of the President in the fight against the Corona Virus Pandemic which has engulfed the world with Ghana recording 204 cases with 5 deaths and 32 recovering at the time of going to press.

If anything at all Hon.Edward Owusu and Hon.Kofi Amoako MCE for Atebubu Amanteng and MP for for Atebubu Amanteng respectively who doubles as heads of MUSEC and RESEC should know better that the mosque they sent their men to arrest those youth is where the Municipal Chief Imam leads Congregational prayers during ordinary days hence their action could have been done with much respect and decorum acknowledging the fact that with the presents of these two respected personalities- the Zongo Chief and Municipal Chief lmam they could have talked to the youth for a peaceful dialogue. It was rather unfortunate that these two respected personalities were not accorded that recognition and with the political senses worn by both the MCE and MP cum Regional Minister, they ordered their men to invade the mosque accompanied by sporadic gunshots causing pandemonium,fear and panic amidst screaming from all the corners within the Atebubu Zongo Community. This is needless to say the least at these trying moments where economic activities are in partial collapse as a results of the Corona Virus Pandemic and its resultant measures.

We are at this moment calling on the Regional Minister who doubles as MP for Atebubu Amanteng not to use his office as head of the Bono East Regional Security Council to intimidate his political opponents with the least opportunity he gets because truly truly.... WE ARE NOT IN NORMAL TIMES. Thank you.

Signed:Bilal Muazu Sulemana

NDC Bono East Regional Youth Organizer.

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