Nobody can claim any part of Ghana – Mahama on Togolanders’ rebellion
Former President John Mahama has said “Ghana is a sovereign republic” and that: “Nobody can claim a part of Ghana”.
Making reference to the recent series of violent attacks launched in parts of the Volta Region by secessionist groups that identify themselves as Western Togolanders, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) told party supporters in Jinijini in the Bono Region where is touring that: “Our father Rawlings put Ghana together”.
“We are all part of the nation Ghana: Ewes, Bonos, Asantes, Dagombas, Fantes.
“We make up the nation Ghana as one people and, so, we won’t sit aloof for any group to say they want to secede”, the former President said.
“If we allowed every group to secede one after the other from the unitary state, what would be left of the country?” he asked.
He added: “What unites all of us is that we identify ourselves as Ghanaians”.
“And what makes the NDC unique is that we don’t discriminate based on ethnic affiliations. NDC governments always unite the citizenry”, Mr Mahama said.
Meanwhile, the police has begun a probe into the arson that took place at the State Transport Corporation (STC) yard in Ho on Tuesday dawn by the secessionist group.
According to the police, at about 02:00 am, four armed men stormed the Ho STC yard demanding the keys to all the vehicles parked and set two of the minibuses ablaze when the drivers did not produce the keys.
The arrival of police and fire service personnel saved the situation.
The police says its preliminary investigation shows that there were eleven vehicles parked at the time of the attack.
One bus was completely burnt and another slightly burnt.
A flag of the group was found at the scene, the police noted in a statement.
The security agency has urged the public to remain calm and volunteer information for the arrest of the perpetrators.
There are several separatist groups in the Volta region advocating independence.
They say the Volta Region of Ghana is independent and autonomous Western Togoland.
It is unclear which of the groups attacked the transport yard.
The Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF), one of the separatist groups, on Friday, 25 September 2020, blocked all entries and exits to and from the region, seized two police stations, took some officers hostage and exchanged gunfire with others wounding a police commander in the process.
The police has, so far, arrested 31 people suspected to be members of the group.
Traditional leaders including Togbui Sri III, the Awomefia of the Anlo state, leaders of Gbi-Hohoe, as well as members of the National Houses of Chiefs, have all condemned the actions of the separatist groups.
