The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has fired a ‘warning shot’ at the group calling itself Western Togoland and resolved to render the Volta Region a no-go area for them.
The Deputy Volta Regional Secretary of the party, Bright Egeh, disclosed this to The Chronicle in an exclusive interview on Saturday.
According to him, there is nothing like Western Togoland and that it is an imaginary creation by a set of faceless persons who have decided to manipulate some people to make the country ungovernable.
The Deputy Secretary continued that the NDC’s resolve is based on the fact that it is only in an election year that the supposed group raises its voice to the amazement of majority of the people.
He further stated that the activities of the supposed body are directed at intimidating the citizens in the region, considered as the party’s World Bank, to show apathy during the upcoming general elections.
According to Mr Egeh, the party has its own intelligence and would deal ruthlessly with anyone who wants to foment trouble in order to suppress votes in the region.
A press release from Western Togoland Governing Council dated January 18, 2024 and signed by H.E A.K Ametepe, Governor, announced the launch of a special task force.
The said release also admonished the general public to STAY AWAY from any gathering in the name of voting in the territory of Western Togoland henceforth.
The deputy NDC Secretary, who is not happy with the development, said his outfit expects the state intelligence bodies to pick up signals on the dissidents in their formative periods, rather than unleash the military to intimidate the voters.
On November16, 2019 the Homeland Study Group Foundation, at a function opposite the Police Training School, in Ho, declared independence from Ghana. The group’s leader, Papavi, an octogenarian, managed to escape after he was declared wanted.
In the morning of September 3, 2020 commuters on the Accra-Somanya highway and Akuse Junction, Tema-Akosombo road discovered the presence of signboards erected to announce entry into Western Togoland. On the same day, the police went to remove the illegal sign posts.
On September 25, 2020 some members of the secessionists blocked the Tema-Ho highway at Akrade and Juapong, Tema-Aflao road, around Sogakope and Sege-Aveyime/Mepe road, where the insurgents attacked Police Stations, freed suspects in custody, who they replaced with the officers on duty.
The Sogakope Police Commander’s official vehicle was ambushed and shot in the process, with the attackers bundling him to the Battor Catholic Hospital.
The navy from the Naval Training Command at Nutekpor, who responded to a distress call, engaged and dismissed a number of the dissidents, which similar situation report was recorded in the Juapong area.
In the night of Tuesday September 29, 2020 persons believed to be of the secessionist group attacked the STC yard in the Ho Township , subjected a number of drivers to beatings and crowned their lawlessness by setting ablaze a bus at the terminal.
Early last year, their aged leader died of natural cause in a health facility near Akatsi.
