The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has advised all persons who intend to use violence to solve their disputes, be it chieftaincy or land-related issues, to desist from that act.

In a release signed by its Director-General in-charge of Public Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Reverend David Nenyi Ampah-Bennin, the police recommended that individuals and groups involved in chieftaincy and land disputes, should resort to lawful means or else face the full rigors of the law.

According to the statement, the public disturbances as a result of these countless protracted chieftaincy disputes and land related issues, are a serious breach of the Public Order Act 491 of 1994; adding that the service as constitutionally mandated, will at all times maintain law and order, and as well ensure that Ghanaians, live in the atmosphere of peace.

Below, is published unedited the statement from the Ghana Police Service, warning the general public of the continuous breach of the public order:

Public Disorders

The Ghana Police Service wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the recent spate of public order disturbances and related chieftaincy and land disputes in some parts of the country and entreats those involved to desist from such acts.

These disturbances, which include the chieftaincy disputes at Bimbila and Nani in the Northern Region; Wa in the Upper West Region; Dwomo, Mim and Brekum in the Bronga Ahafo Region; Kumawu and Pekyi No. 2 in the Ashanti Region; Akim Swedru in the Eastern Region; Beahu, Sefwi Wiawso, Enchi, and Wassa Anyinabrem in the Western Region; Gomoa Akramang in the Central Region, and Katanga and Aflao in the Volta Region, are breaches of the Public Order Act, Act 491 of 1994.

The Police wishes to reiterate its commitment to maintaining law and order at all times, and will therefore do everything within the law to ensure that peace prevails in the country. Some of the perpetrators of these chieftaincy/land disputes are currently in Police custody and are being prosecuted at the law courts, while others are being investigated.

Meanwhile, all parties to chieftaincy/land disputes are advised to utilize the law courts and other constitutional conflict resolution mechanisms to resolve their differences.

The public are hereby entreated to continue to cooperate with the Police to maintain the peace that our country is enjoying

SGD DIRECTOR-GENERAL/PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

[REV. DAVID NENYI AMPAH-BENNIN]

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

THE MEDIA

ACCRA