Asikuma police accused of bias

Breman Asikuma (C/R), Jan 1, GNA - The Breman Asikuma Police have been accused of bias in their handling of a case of assault reported to them by the executives of the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) against officials of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).

The executives of PROTOA have also accused the GPRTU of preventing members of the Association from operating at the Asikuma lorry station.

Mr Amoabeng-Peprah, National Vice Chairman of PROTOA, speaking to the GNA at Breman Asikuma said the accusation followed the refusal of the Police at Breman Asikuma to arrest five GPRTU members who allegedly attacked and assaulted Mr Kwesi Dadzie, a member of PROTOA on Tuesday, December 28, 2004.

He said that officials of the GPRTU also hired thugs who destroyed benches and tables and pulled down a shed used by members of the Association at the lorry station on Friday, December 31, 2004. Mr Amoabeng-Peprah said the thugs who have not been arrested chased the PROTOA members out of the lorry station while Mr Dadzie was receiving treatment for groan and chest pains at the Breman Asikuma Catholic Hospital.

The PROTOA National Vice Chairman described the situation at the Asikuma lorry station as "volatile," adding that, the lorry station belonged to the District Assembly and not the GPRTU.

According to Mr Amoabeng-Peprah as at afternoon on Friday, the thugs who chased the PROTOA members out of the lorry station with cutlasses, clubs, knives and other offensive weapons had not been arrested. He said the executives and members of PROTOA at the station had to run for their dear lives and he personally reported the matter to the Police.

Mr Amoabeng-Pepra appealed to the National Security Council and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to assist in bringing the situation under control since the Asikuma Police was not eager in arresting and prosecuting the culprits and to create a conducive atmosphere to enable PROTOA members to work in peace.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohammed Fuseini, Asikuma District Police Commander, confirmed the case of assault by GPRTU members on their PROTOA counterparts, which he said was under investigations.

He said three GPRTU members arrested by the Police would be arraigned before court after the investigations. The District Commander told GNA that the District Assembly had officially given a portion of the lorry station to PROTOA and said that the GPRTU therefore had no power to stop them from operating there.