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Government re-imposes
curfew on Anlo Traditional Area
Accra, Nov. 9, Ghanadot/GNA - Government has by an Executive
Instrument re-imposed the curfew which ended yesterday
(Thursday) midnight on the Anlo Traditional Area, following
the eruption of a violent chieftaincy dispute in the area
last week.
Unlike the previous dawn to dusk curfew running from 1800
hours to 0600 hours each day, the re-imposed curfew would
now be from 2000 hours to 0500 hours, and shall cover only
Anloga and its immediate environs, including Tegbi, Woe,
Anloga, Whuti and Atorkor.
Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of the Interior, who announced
the re-imposed curfew in a statement in Parliament on
Friday, said Keta would no more be covered by the curfew.
He said even though no unusual incidents had occurred since
the imposition of the curfew, and Anloga was calm, the
situation there continued to be potentially volatile.
Mr Bartels said the Police and Military contingent present
in Anloga and Keta shall, however, be maintained to ensure
law and order and to consolidate the current calm that was
prevailing in the area as the Ministry continued to monitor
the situation.
The ban on the possession of arms and ammunition in the Keta
and Anloga still remains in force.
The Minister appealed to traditional leaders, opinion
leaders, citizens and other well-wishers of the Anlo
Traditional Area to support Government in its efforts to
ensure that calm returned to the area.
He made an appeal to the press to be circumspect in
reporting issues arising out of the violence.
"Issues of chieftaincy are very, very sensitive, emotive and
explosive and the role of the press is very important in
determining whether peace and tranquillity return or whether
we have another explosion on our hands. The role played by a
particular radio [station] in inciting the genocide of
Rwanda should be a lesson and guide to all of us," Mr
Bartels said.
Government urged all parties to the dispute to settle the
issue of the rightful heir to the Anlo Paramount Stool
through the constitutionally recognised structures of the
Regional or National House of Chiefs or the courts.
Mr Bartels reiterated Government's position of
non-interference in chieftaincy affairs, but would, however,
take the necessary steps to bring peace to the area.
Mr Kofi Humado, (NDC-Anlo), said the situation was
improving, but noted the need for faster lifting of the
curfew to allow the people in the communities, who were
mostly fishermen to go about their duties.
He expressed condolence to families that had lost dear ones
following the eruption of the conflict.
Violence exploded on November 1, 2007 in Anloga between
factions of the royal Adzovia clan over who had the right to
install an Awomefia (Paramount Chief) to succeed Togbui
Adzaladza, who died in 1998.
The violence resulted in the death of four civilians and a
Police officer.
The Government obtained an injunction from an Accra High
Court restraining the kingmakers of the Anlo Traditional
Council from holding any meeting or event concerning or
connected with the installation of Togbui Sri III as the
Awoamefia until further notice from the court.
However, a statement from the Secretary of the Palace of
Awoamefia said the installation of Awoamefia Sri III was
completed before the court order was obtained.
GNA
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