S/R: Angry youth demand withdrawal of external police officers over alleged harassment

Angry youth in Wasipe in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region have demanded the withdrawal of police officers brought in from other jurisdictions from Daboya in the Wasipe Traditional Area.

Tanko Bafoga, who read the press release on behalf of the youth at the chief’s palace in Wasipewura on Sunday, said they have had enough of the brutality and unlawful arrests meted out to them by the police.

He added that, to date, the police could not disclose the main reason for their brutality and unlawful arrests.

“While some have attributed these actions to the attack on the regional police commander of the Savannah region, others attribute them to the land dispute between Gonjas and Mamprusi.”

“We, the youth of Wasipe Traditional Area, want to state it clearly that we are not ready to release any land, both traditionally and administratively, that is the sole property of Wasipe Traditional Area, not the Mamprugus,” Tanko Bafoga said.

He added that there was no evidential attack on any police commander or any officer to merit this unlawful brutality that is ongoing among the residents of Daboya.

“Why are the people of Mamprugu walking freely, enjoying lasting sleep, and enjoying the peaceful environment while the people of Wasipe traditional area are always having sleepless nights and have been brutalized by security personnel as the issue was between two sides?” he questioned.

Hawawu Dramani, speaking on behalf of the Queen Mothers, said they are starving as their husbands and sons are on the run to save themselves from the unlawful brutality and unlawful arrest.

She added that their farms are at a standstill as farm produce is left to rot without proper care and practices.

Hawawu revealed further that six people have been bitten by snakes and are currently receiving treatment in the nearby villages due to the security chasing them to arrest them, which has led them to sleep in the bush.

She decried the apparent lack of concern by the President and Vice-President since the issue emanated.