Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says Ghanaians must be worried about the continuous violent attacks by the Western Togoland group.
The group over the past few days have exhibited violent attacks in the Volta Region as they continue to demand for independence.
Dr Bawumia is of the view that the group which he describes as ‘criminal’ are threatening the peace and stability of this country.
He assured Ghanaians that the government and the security agencies are working hard to bring their activities to a halt.
“We promised to protect the people of Ghana and we have done it. What is happening is criminal behaviour, all Ghanaians should be worried because we are a very peaceful nation. Ghana has not been a place where you will find these issues coming up. The history does not support what they are saying and that is a figment of their imagination. Ghana must come together and this is not a political matter because this is a situation we have with some criminals who want to distort history and that is where we must be worried. We have invested a lot in the security services and we trust them to do a good job, so far they have been able to contain the situation”
When asked if the government will be willing to sit and negotiate with the group he answered: “Why should we sit with criminals, if we do that then we would have to engage everyone, it does not make sense because their activities are unlawful” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen.
In its most recent act of violence, Members of the Homeland Study Foundation on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, attacked the State Transport Corporation (STC) in the Volta Regional capital, Ho, and set ablaze one of its buses.
The members also on Friday, September 25, 2020, also blocked major entries into the Volta Region.
This action left travellers to and from the Volta Region, particularly areas such as Tefle, Tsopoli and Juapong stranded.
The group burnt vehicle tyres and took control of two police stations, freeing suspects and taking weapons from the armoury.
Background
The Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) led by 85-year-old Komi Kudzordzi, announced its separation from Ghana on their official social media handles on Saturday, November 16 2017, after a group meeting was held in Ho.
This followed various advocacies for the independence of former Western Togoland made up of Volta Region, Oti Region and parts of the North East Region, Northern Region and Upper East Region.
The region was a German colony but at the end of World War I, it was split in two and the Eastern side ceded to France and is present-day Togo.
The Western side was a British protectorate and voted in a plebiscite in 1956 to join Ghana which was about to be granted independence by Britain.
The Homeland Study Group Foundation argues that the agreement to join Ghana included forming a union in 50 years.
They claim the said union was never formed so since 2007, the group has been championing separation from Ghana.
Some leaders of the group were subsequently arrested and charged with treason while other members were released.
