Creation of new regions: Police issue security alert in Oti

The Police in the Volta Region has cautioned persons, particularly journalists within the Oti area to be extra vigilant following threats by some alleged opponents of the proposed Oti Region.

According to the police, they have picked intelligence suggesting that the opponents of the region have planned to disrupt the referendum.

The warning was given through the Volta Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Kafui Kanyi.

“I just received a call from the Regional Police Commander that reports from the JCC (Oti) indicating that unknown faces who are not in the company of the police could be attacked by the locals. Media practitioners from the south are therefore advised to be at Kadjebi, the collation centre and pick information from there. Thanks. Remember, safety first,” Mr. Kanyi indicated.

The Joint Consultative Committee on the creation of the Oti Region made up of some chiefs and respected citizens of the Oti Enclave and chaired by Nana Mpra Besemuna, Chief of Karachi, last Monday warned against persons opposed to the new region.

“…We have picked intelligence that the detractors of the Oti Region from southern Volta have planned to begin their anti-Oti-region activities…To foment trouble to create the impression in the minds of well-meaning Ghanaians that there are security challenges in the Oti enclave.”

“We want to warn that per the Supreme Court ruling, people who are not citizens of residents of the Oti area have no locus to come and campaign here… However, if the anti-Oti campaigners decide to come and destabilize the exercise, we cannot look on unconcerned,” Nana Mpra Besemuna told journalists amidst cheers from a youthful audience.

Meanwhile, voting for the creation of the six new regions; Bono East, Ahafo, North East, Savanna, Western North and Oti has so far been peaceful.