The Volta Regional Youth Wing of the opposition NDC has condemned what they described as intimidation and harassment of the member by the Municipal Chief Executive office and the Police in the district.
In a statement copied Awake News, signed by the Regional Youth Organizer, Mr. Mathias Alagbo, the NDC “has learnt with shock and dismay that two NDC Youth, Comrades: Edwin Amemasor and Divine Kporha, were this evening picked up by Police officers acting on the instructions of the Ketu South Municipal Chief Executive Elliot Edem Agbenorwu from Victory FM studios in Avoemee whilst discussing issues related to Covid-19 preparedness in the Municipality.”
According to Mr. Mathias Alagbo, the arrest was as a result of radio discussion on the COVID-19 in which the two NDC panelists intimated that government has “quarantined over 30 individuals of different nationalities who illegally entered Ghana through the Aflao corridor at the Vicabamba Hotel in Hedzranawo pending their test for coronavirus” but “there was no security presence at the hotel to enforce the quarantine and as a result, most of the people in quarantine who are largely Nigerians freely move around town frequenting drinking bars and food joints in the Hedzranawo environs with some even having access to women whilst in quarantine at the Hotel.”
“We learnt that the Municipal Chief Executive, alarmed that his failed leadership was being exposed, called into the program to deny the story and he was again exposed by callers into the program.”
This he said made the Ketu South MCE use Rambo style to arrest the NDC panalist leaving the NPP panelist on the show.
Read the full statement:
VOLTA NDC YOUTH CONDEMNS THE ARREST, INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT OF OUR YOUTH BY THE POLICE IN AFLAO
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HO- Wednesday 8th April 2020
The NDC Volta Regional Youth wing has learnt with shock and dismay that two NDC Youth, Comrades: Edwin Amemasor and Divine Kporha, were this evening picked up by Police officers acting on the instructions of the Ketu South Municipal Chief Executive Elliot Edem Agbenorwu from Victory FM studios in Avoemee whilst discussing issues related to Covid-19 preparedness in the Municipality.
We condemn such acts in the strongest possible terms and warn the MCE and the Police to desist from such cowardly acts as a cover up for the failures of government in the Volta Region.
Our enquiries, revealed that, the government has quarantined over 30 individuals of different nationalities who illegally entered Ghana through the Aflao corridor at the Vicabamba Hotel in Hedzranawo pending their test for coronavirus.
It was revealed that, there was no security presence at the hotel to enforce the quarantine and as a result, most of the people in quarantine who are largely Nigerians freely move around town frequenting drinking bars and food joints in the Hedzranawo environs with some even having access to women whilst in quarantine at the Hotel.
We learnt that during the radio discussion segment on this matter, eye witnesses called into the program to corroborate the story including the Assemblyman of the electoral area who expressed alarm that residents could be at risk should any of those in quarantine test positive for COVID-19.
We learnt that the Municipal Chief Executive, alarmed that his failed leadership was being exposed, called into the program to deny the story and he was again exposed by callers into the program.
Subsequently, the MCE sent Police Officers to arrest the two NDC representatives leaving out the NPP representatives. Their statements were taken and have now been granted bail.
We are concerned because the actions of the Ketu South MCE follows the style of the MCE of Keta who in a Rambo style sought to close down Jubilee Radio in Keta. In that instance too, panelists were discussing the handling of COVID-19 in the Municipality. Thankfully that effort was foiled by the vigilant residents of Keta. We have other evidence of the BNI also inviting other communicators of the NDC in Ketu South under the instructions of the Ketu South MCE
We wish to state with certainty that the Youth in the Volta region are prepared to take every action necessary to defend the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana including our rights to free speech and freedom from harasmsent and intimidation from government without just cause.
We urge the Police not to allow itself to become a tool in the hands of NPP government officials who are under instructions to deploy tools of intimidation and harassment on the people of the Volta Region as we approach elections 2020.
The Regional Youth wing hereby urges our youth to remain fearless and speak up on the ills of this government through all available media platforms without fear or favour as the Constitution of the republic is on our side and for which we shall mobilize to defend every time.
End.
Mathias Alagbo (Kabila)
Volta Regional Youth Organizer.
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com
