General News of Saturday, 11 February 2017

Source: mynewsgh.com

Leave government out of Bimbilla Chieftaincy clashes - Interior Minister

Minister of Interior Ambrose P Dery Minister of Interior Ambrose P Dery

The Minister of Interior Ambrose P Dery has categorically stated that government cannot be blamed for the renewed clashes in Bimbilla that claimed 10 lives and led to dozens of residents suffering gunshot injuries.

Mr Dery stated that government will not meddle in any chieftaincy matters and therefore advised those who believe they have any course of action to resort to due process and not rise up in arms against other factions.

“I want to make it clear that the position of government is that we will not interfere in any chieftaincy matters. It remains the mandate of the traditional council. Where any body feels he or she has any course of action should resort to due process”, he stated.

He promised that his ministry will take the necessary steps to protect lives and properties in the area while it continue to monitor the situation through security agencies to ensure there is no recurrence of violence

The minister reiterated the need for aggrieved parties to resort to due process through the regional house of chiefs through to the National House of Chief to the Supreme Court rather than violence leading to the avoidable deaths.

Meanwhile, more armed police and military personnel have been deployed from Accra to augment the number on ground in the wake of residents fleeing the troubled town for fear the situation could escalate.