Regional News of Wednesday, 21 January 2004

Source: Accra Mail

GA, Ewe Tension At Madina

The chiefs and people of La are readying themselves ahead of a possible escalation of ethnic tensions currently existing between the Bureau of La Stool Lands and "Voltarians" residents in Madina, a suburb of Accra.

The office of the La Stool Lands has leveled accusations against Ewes resident in Madina Zongo for teaming up with other Ewe groups to "embarrass" the stool lands.

According to the office of the stool lands, one recent unacceptable example of Ewe provocation was the use of an "influential man" at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to disconnect the office's electricity supply.

Nii Asuo Wulomo, the Head of Bureau of La Stool Lands, says "suspicion and rumours making the rounds point fingers at the Ewes in the area."

He told the ADM in an interview that the act, which was "orchestrated", has gone a long way to "disorganize projects and meetings of the stool lands. Meetings have to be held at other inconvenient venues and above all government projects, whose meetings are held in the offices have to be called off."

In reaction, an official at ECG, said ECG workers detailed to the area reported an electricity bye pass, which called for the disconnection of power.

However after the head of the Stool Lands had registered his exasperation about the incident, "another group was sent to verify the situation, a contrary observation was reported."