Over 2,100 people have been displaced in the communal violence at the Volta
Regional town of Hohoe, Regional Minister, Mr Henry Kamel Ford has said. He said the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) had registered the Muslim population who fled reprisal at and were now seeking refuge at Jasikan, nearby village.
Mr Ford Kamel, who was speaking to Joy News after a meeting with the regional
house of chiefs appealed for help to enable the NADMO soothe the pain of the
‘refugees’.
More residents have been fleeing the Zongo community in Hohoe despite
assurances from security personnel stationed at Hohoe to maintain law and
order. One of the suburbs, Picnic has virtually become a ghost town with over a
hundred families said to have fled to neighbouring towns such as Jasikan, Kejebi
and Nkwanta.
The few who have braved the situation told Lolonyo FM’s Isaac Kwesi Minta they
are prepared for the worst. Kwesi Minta reported of deserted family homes with scattered utensils and other household items.
He said although a few people had dared to open their shops to do business,
many were cautious. Meanwhile the leadership of the Muslim community have up to tomorrow to
return regalia said to have been taken away from the Palace of the Chief of Gbi
when irate Muslim youth vandalised the palace.
Even though they have assured the Chiefs they will help ensure the items are returned, indigenes in the area are still very angry.
Volta Regional Correspondent Ageko Ben Coffie said many of the people who fled
the area had been putting with relatives and other philanthropists at Jasikan. Some of the escapees sustained injuries in the violence and are being treated, a
good Samaritan hosting about four people told him. In a related development, the Chairman of the Volta Region Parliament caucus, Captain George Nforjoh has told Joy News members of the caucus will visit this weekend to assess the situation to inform the input they can offer.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
