January 10, 2011

But for the timely intervention of the Techiman police, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Techiman North, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, could have been in danger.

Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi’s driver was attacked whiles he (MP) was at the palace of the queen-mother of Ofunman to discus certain issues with her. The attack took place on January 2, two days to the scheduled District Assembly elections at the Ofuman electoral area.

Speaking to newsmen at Techiman, Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi said there was some misunderstanding among some settler farmers in his constituency and as the MP of the area, he decided to consult the queen-mother to see how the matter could be settled amicably.

According him, while he was in the palace, he heard that a group of NDC hooligans were attacking his driver and so he quickly went out, only to find out that the group had engaged his driver in a serious fight when they realized that he (Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi) was not in the car.

The MP and former Minister of Railways, Ports and Harbour told newsmen that when the group spotted him, they turned to vent their spleen at him but another group of young men stepped between the group and him to keep them away from him. In the cause of the commotion, his car was smashed.

He said a desperate call by a sympathizer to the police patrol team saved the situation. In his view, the hooligans thought he was in the area to campaign for one particular candidate in the District Assembly elections.

On the day of the election, several incidents of violent confrontations were recorded across the length and breadth of the constituency as the NDC youth went on rampage, beating people. Many innocent persons perceived to be NPP supporters were injured.

Professor Ameyaw Akumfi seized the opportunity to appeal to the government to call the NDC goons to order to avoid any violence which may erupt before, during and after the 2012 general elections.

He said from the way violence erupted during the district level elections, if care was not taken, a similar thing could be happen in the run-up to the 2012 general elections. Meanwhile, the case has been reported to the police for investigations.

Source: Graphic