Boadua, (E/R), Aug. 9, GNA - Two saloon cars belonging to Mr Kwame Ankrah, Akwatia Constituency Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and his tenant, Nana Owusu Boateng, were burnt to ashes at Boadua by some unidentified persons in the early hours of Saturday. Mr Ankrah told Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, and members of the Regional Security Council (RESEC), who were in the area to assess the security situation, that at about 0230 hours on Saturday he was awoken by shouts that fire had engulfed the two cars parked behind his house.

He said with the assistance of neighbours they managed to put out the fire but the cars nevertheless got completely burnt. Mr Ankrah said the neighbours informed him that a white Tata Pick-Up with two persons on board who were seen near the vehicles before they went into flames fled the scene.

He alleged that a day before the incident, that particular vehicle trailed him from town, and that he also received text messages threatening him that he would not be alive to see the re-run of the Akwatia Parliamentary Election on August 18.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo assured him that the police would investigate the matter and would provide the maximum security for all before, during and after the election.

He said the police would also investigate the threatening text messages and advised supporters of both the NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) not to see the August 18 election as a "do and die affair". Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said a time had come when supporters of political parties needed to bury their differences. He said the country had been internationally acclaimed as an "Oasis of Democracy" adding, "We should not do anything to mar that enviable reputation."

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo appealed to those who had information on the crime to feed the police and gave the assurance that the identity of informants would be protected. 09 Aug. 09