ORGANIZED YOUTH OF ASHANTI POSTPONES DEMONSTRATION TO MARCH
Vincent Agyemang Okyere addressing the media in Kumasi |
The procession,
which was originally scheduled for Tuesday February 24, 2015, was to galvanize
residents of the Ashanti region to shore up support to President John Dramani
Mahama in appreciation for the numerous development projects that have been
provided in the Ashanti region within the relatively short period in
government.
It was also to
proclaim the specific development projects either executed or are being
executed in the region.
Addressing the
media in Kumasi on the supposed day for the procession, the Secretary to OYA,
Vincent Agyemang Okyere, flanked by the Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the
NDC, Ernest Brogya Genfi, and some Regional Executives of the NDC, explained
that the planned peace procession had to be rescheduled to March so as to avert
any of the planned confusion by some notable members of the opposition NPP.
He mentioned
specifically, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako,
popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who allegedly has made certain open threatening
remarks on Kumasi-based radio stations to the effect that the event would be
disrupted.
Mr. Okyere noted
also that when the leadership of OYA presented its notification letter to the
Ashanti Regional Police Command in early February about the planned procession,
it was made known to them that no other such street protests were scheduled for
that day and were therefore given the assurance that they would have police
protection during their procession.
According to
him, it was later that the Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander called to
admit that a group aligned to the NPP known as “Movement for Change” had also
notified the police about a demonstration in Kumasi on the same date and
therefore urged OYA to change its date.
However, none of
the two groups was yielding to the request.
Mr. Okyere said
the decision to reschedule the planned procession was in recognition of the
fact that OYA could not endanger the lives of participants while the peace in
the region could not be toyed with.
Therefore, the
planned procession will be organized in March, the specific date to be formally
communicated to the public.
He enumerated a
number of development projects being undertaking by the Mahama government for
the people of Ashanti for which the people are grateful and want to use the
procession to show their appreciation to the president.
Additionally, it
wants to use the event to show solidarity with the President as he tries his
best to address the energy crisis.
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