National Security meets Volta chiefs over secessionist group

The heads of the various security agencies in the country have held a meeting with chiefs in the Volta region and other stakeholders to deliberate on the activities of the secessionist group calling itself, Western Togoland Restoration Front at the capital, Ho.

The closed door meeting was attended by the Chief of Defense Staff, Minister for National Security Mr. Kan Dapaah, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, the Energy Minister, Mr. John Peter Amewu and the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa.

The Deputy Minister of Information, Mr. Pious Hadzide, who briefed the media after the meeting, disclosed that security had been beefed up in the Volta and Oti regions to respond to any insurgence action, pointing out that government is prepared to deal with any acts of lawlessness that poses threat to the peace of the country.

Mr. Hadzide, supported by the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa and his Deputy,  Rev. Johnson Avuletey continued that even though the rebellious activities of the group is affecting the peace, government has not taken any decision to impose curfew in parts of the region, where the group caused mayhem.

The Deputy Information Minister rejected calls on the government to sit down and dialogue with the members of the group because their activities infringes on the laws of the country and are, therefore, criminal.

Mr. Hadzide disclosed that so far, 60 persons have been arrested by the security agencies, out of which 54 have been detained with the remaining six being processed for court. He assured the chiefs in the region that their concerns would be addressed.

He also appealed to the media to be circumspect in their reportage, stressing that certain media reports that seem to be supporting the illegal activities of the group should be avoided and that   criminal acts should not be glorified in the country.

Dr. Letsa, on his part noted that the activities of some radio stations, which seem to be promoting the secessionists should stop, citing instances where suspected members of the group were allowed to express themselves and justify their activities during radio phone-in programmes.

“As presenters of programmes , you should serve as a sieve to be able to take comments, which are more educative and beneficial to the listening public and at the same time, prevent and take off  people whose comments instigate and encourage wrong doing”, he said.

The Regional Minister also denied sponsoring the members of the group as being alleged and warned that he had referred the issue to his lawyers and that anyone that would make such an unsubstantiated allegation would not be sparred.

“Yes I am a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a Voltarian and that should never be a yardstick to tarnish my reputation, I would take anybody who dares me on”, he said.

The post National Security meets Volta chiefs over secessionist group appeared first on The Chronicle Online.

Read Full Story