General News of Saturday, 13 August 2011

Source: Daily Guide

NDC Demo Boys Face Prosecution

Information reaching Daily Guide indicates that Joseph Amenowode, the Regional Minister is anxious because of the statements by the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and Togbega Gabusu and the recent demonstration against him and the Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

This, according to sources close to the Volta Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Volta Regional Minister, has compelled the minister to employ various tactics to address the situation.

Daily Guide gathered that the minister allegedly lobbied some chiefs in the Hohoe Municipality to hold a well-attended press conference to neutralize Togbega Gabusu’s criticisms of the government. They also alleged that the minister is being assisted by his two trusted friends, Alfred Woyome and Victor Herman Condobrey.

The two, in the past few months, have come under immense criticism and attack in the Hohoe-North constituency which led to the dismissal of Condobrey, who used to be the Hohoe MCE. The press conference was also meant to praise the minister in order to safeguard his post as the regional minister, which is currently under threat.

Many people were conveyed on buses to Ve-Golokwati to fill seats at the press conference. Some Hohoe NDC executives and activists were at the helm of affairs throughout the event.

Some people were seen wearing ‘Atta Mills for 2012’ T-shirts with the inscription “God’s Choice for 2012.” According to reports, the Regional Minister, who intends to secure his position, has impressed upon the Police to prosecute the demonstrators who demanded the dismissal of the Ho MCE by the President.

The prosecution of the demonstrators, according to the sources, will be based on the unlawful use of the NDC logo by the Group, NDC Youth for Action on their letter heads.

This decision was taken because they realised that prosecuting them on the basis of embarking on demonstration will not be welcomed by the general public.

The plan was adopted last Monday at the office of the Regional Minister, Joseph Amenowode in Ho before he left for the Regional Ministers’ conference up north.

According to the source, the meeting was attended by some regional and constituency executives in Ho including the Regional NDC Chairman, Kwesi Aboagye, Regional Secretary Simon Amegashie Viglo, Regional Organiser, Henry Ametefe and Nyame Senyo Koka, Ho West Chairman. The rest are Mawuli Danyo, Ho West Secretary, Hannock Bansah, Ho Central Chairman and Stanley Glate, Ho Central Secretary.

They decided at the meeting to undertake a peaceful march throughout the principal streets of Ho in honour of the President and also commend him for his tremendous commitment to the Volta region.

The march will be in two phases, one organised by Ho West and the other organised by Ho Central, which are all expected to take place very soon.

It is intended to create the impression that all is well and also neutralise the concerns raised by the demonstrators and the Volta Regional House of Chiefs and safeguard the position of the Minister and the MCE.

Meanwhile, Daily Guide's investigations have revealed that the demonstration has gingered many Voltarians who are calling for a second protest to be held bring out their concerns.

Many people lauded the construction of 200 class-room blocks and toilets in the region, but called for the execution of projects that will open up and accelerate the socio-economic growth of the entire region.