Ejisu (Ash), Sept 7, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ejisu-Juaben Constituency has accused the Police of harassment, particularly of members of the Youth Wing of the Party. The Party said the Police at dawn on Monday, picked Mr Mustapha Mohammed, Chairman of the Youth Working Committee of the NDC, for questioning in connection with the burning down of the Yaa Asantewaa Museum.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency about the harassment at Ejisu on Tuesday, Mr Appiah Twumasi, the Constituency Chairman of NDC, said the Police alleged that Mr Mustapha led those who burnt down the Museum. Flanked by Mr Yaw Obimpeh, Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the NDC, Mr Twumasi said the Police had also invited other Executive Members of the Youth Working Committee to give statements in connection with the case.

Mr Twumasi pointed out that the Museum was built during the NDC rule and was, therefore, a testimony to the good work of the Party for which they were proud.

He said it would, therefore, be preposterous for the NDC to burn down something whose construction they were proud of and were going to use in their campaign after selecting a woman parliamentary candidate for the Constituency to symbolise the courage of the legendary Yaa Asantewaa.

Mr Twumasi wondered why those who were biding for the Museum to be given to them to manage but which was rejected by the Assembly had not been invited by the Police for questioning since the arsonists struck barely five days after the Assembly had rejected the proposal.

But both the Konongo Divisional Police Commander and Ejisu-Juaben District Police Commander described as unfortunate the accusation that Police were harassing the NDC Youth in the Constituency.

Mr Peter Baba, the Ejisu-Juaben District Police Commander said Mr Mustapha was not even detained and that he was taken to Konongo, where he was asked to write a statement and was released immediately. Mr Kwashie Gawe, the Divisional Police Commander, corroborated this when the GNA contacted him.

DSP Baba said the Police anticipated the harassment charge and, therefore, asked the others to come and write their statements voluntarily while Mr Gawe said a number of people were being questioned including supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and said the accusation was, therefore, baseless.

He said during investigations the Police normally questioned anybody, who would be mentioned and gave the assurance that the Police was not out to harass anybody.