The Western Togoland dissenters have called for the immediate removal of Ghanaian security forces dispatched to the Volta Region.
Following the blockade of roads leading to and from the Volta Region, the group led by Togbe Yesu Kwabla Edudzi II, disclosed in a press statement that the roadblocks will remain until “Ghana agrees to come to the negotiation table, with expected UNO facilitation.”
“All political activities within the new State are banned with immediate effect. Certain Radio stations are temporarily designated Western Togoland (WTL) State Radios till further notice, and all Media Houses within WTL are to focus their programming predominantly on WTL issues until further notice”.
Additionally, the Chairman of the Western Togoland Restoration Front (WTRF), the political wing of the Western Togoland independence struggle, has reechoed the demand for security forces to vacate the Western Togoland within 24 hours “and must not take any weapons or ammunitions along with them”.
According to the group, the barricade is intended to “assert its sovereignty all over the Southern sector”.
They are reported to have forcibly taken over the Aveyime and Mepe Police stations, overpowering the police officers in the process and looting the Station’s armoury.
They forcibly took over both stations simultaneously, overpowered the police officers, broke into the armoury, and made away with all the weapons.
Currently, all roads leading to and from the Volta Region have been blocked leading to about 3 km of traffic.
As a result of current turmoil, the Volta Regional Minister, Archibald Letsa has waded in by appealing to stranded travellers on the roads to exercise patience as the Volta Regional Security Council executes their plan to reopen the Volta Region.
“In the next hour or two, the situation will be brought under control”.
He further assured that security agencies in the Volta Region will work within the remit of the law to ensure the restoration of order.
“They have to be calm and take instructions from the security agency”.
According to the Volta Regional Minister, the people of the Volta Region are embarrassed by the activities of the separatists.
“I think the majority of the people in the Volta Region, majority, if I say majority, 95-98% of the people don’t support what is going on. In fact they are very much embarrassed by the activities of these people”.
Archibald Letsa
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service via a Facebook post has cautioned travellers to be guided due to what it describes as security operations in some communities in the Volta Region.
According to the police, this is as a result of security operations ongoing within those areas following roadblocks believed to have been perpetrated by secessionist group, Homeland Study Foundation.
“Good morning Ghana, commuters to and from Accra – Ho – Aveyime – Adidome – Mepe – Akuse – Aflao are likely to experience traffic due to security operations within those areas. Anybody travelling on any of these roads should exercise caution”.
Ghana Police personnel within the captured area have been ordered to remain indoors until further notice or surrender peacefully to the Western Togoland Security forces.
