Angry youth at Sogakope, in the Volta Region, yesterday blocked the main Accra-Aflao road, leaving passengers stranded for several hours. The action, according to the youth, was a protest against the high level of insecurity in the area. Their action also followed the murder of the assemblyman for the Sogakope South electoral area
Murder
The assembly member for the area, Marcus Mawutor Adzahli, was shot and killed at his residence in the early hours of Sunday.
The assailants, numbering about eight, reportedly went to the victim’s house wielding guns and cement blocks whilst firing gunshots.
Mr Adzahli, who was also a mobile money merchant, was found with multiple bullet and stab wounds. His wife and child are also said to be in critical condition at the hospital.
Minister’s visit
Subsequently, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa, has visited the area to commiserate with the family of the late assembly member.
The Minister’s visit was believed to have sparked the anger of the youth, and led to the blocking of the road. The protesting residents said mere comments from the Minister will not improve their security and want more action done.
“The Regional Minister is in town. They say they are holding a press conference. What will a press conference do for us? It doesn’t give us any clues, no solution, nothing,” an angry resident complained.
Police attitude
The residents have also expressed outrage about the actions of the police in the area.
“When there is an incident and they call them, they will never rush. Sometimes they rush and hide at the crime scene. They can’t shoot. Sometimes they will say they don’t have bullets in the gun which we can’t understand,” another angry resident stated.
They have therefore demanded replacement of all police personnel in the area.
Assurance
The police have, however, given assurance that they will continue to protect the people. The Sogakope District Police Commander, DSP Michael Zah, assured that his outfit is on top of issues in the area.
“Security is not as porous as they (the protesters) are saying. It is a challenging issue which we need to sit with the youth and sort out,” he stated.
Bounty
Meanwhile, the district chief executive of South Tongu, Emmanuel Luis Agama, has put a GH₵10,000 bounty on the heads of the perpetrators involved in the murder.
According to the DCE, the bounty was agreed at an emergency District Security Council (DISEC) meeting to address the issue of how best the police can be resourced to facilitate investigations into the murder.
