Suhuma Timber Company Offices vandalised

Dwinase (W/R), Nov. 10, GNA - A group of people calling itself concerned citizens of Dwinase and Kruzinso has vandalised the offices and residential properties of Suhuma Timber Company Limited at Dwinase, near Sefwi-Wiaswo in the Western Region.

The irate group burnt down two vehicles - a double-cabin Nissan pickup and a KIA truck. They also destroyed a Mitsubishi Lancer saloon car and smashed the windshields and headlamps of a Renault heavy-duty vehicle and a road roller.

They also burnt down a wooden structure that served as an office and stole four single-barrel guns and 10.2 millions cedis. Window blades of the offices and residential quarters were not spared.

The mob also attacked and threw stones at a reinforcement of troops that was flown in by helicopter from Takoradi to Dwinase.

Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired warning shots to ward off the rioters and in the process, three people sustained gunshot wounds. Two of the three, Kofi and Tawiah were referred to Okomfo Anokye and Koforidua hospital, respectively, while the third, Atta Johnson, alias Ati was admitted at the Sewfi-Wiawso Government Hospital. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports later said Tawiah had died.

Briefing Ghana News Agency, ASP Joseph Kwame Anneh, Sefwi-Wiawso District Police Commander said the mob attacked the offices and residential areas of the Timber Company at dawn last Thursday.

ASP Anneh said the group claimed that their requests, including construction of toilet, clinic, library and renovation of Stanly Club House, an entertainment centre, which they had put before the company, were not being granted.

He said prior to the rioting, opinion leaders of Sefwi-Dwinase, District Security Council (DISEC) and the Management of the Company met to discuss how the requests relating to some developmental issues in the area could be addressed.

ASP Anneh said his office later received a letter on November 4 from the Company, accusing the opinion leaders of organising the people to demonstrate against it.

He said based on the letter, he invited some opinion leaders to his Office and advised them to use appropriate channels to resolve the issues.

He expressed surprise that they defied his advice and went on rioting without Police permit.

Mr Hassan Farhat, General Manager of the Company, said the property destroyed or damaged in the rampage ran into hundreds of millions of cedis.

Mr Kofi Ahenkora, Sefwi-Wiawso District Chief Executive, said the DISEC had ordered a woman whose presence at the Club House was said to be stalling the renovation works to leave the premises to pave the way for work to begin.

He said the situation was under control and that the DISEC would ensure that the factory opened for normal business. Nana Nkua Okumdom II, Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Area, has condemned the act and asked the security agencies to bring the culprits to book.

He said it was better for the workers to sit down with the Management of to resolve the issues concerning development.