Mob Holds DCE Hostage

IT TOOK the intervention of a joint military/police, that were armed-to-the-teeth, before Nana Okyere Tawiah Antwi, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Kwanwoma, was saved from an imminent violent attack by a mob.

Two persons were reported dead in the ensuing riots.

The angry-mob, made up of mainly Ofoase residents, held the then hapless-looking government official hostage at the district assembly premises, which is situated right at the center of Ofoase.

The unpleasant spectacle occurred on Wednesday afternoon when workers of the assembly, most of who had travelled from other parts of the district to work, were going about their normal routine.

The mob chanted war songs and threatened to teach the DCE bitter lessons should they lay their hands on him. The threats made the DCE and the workers of the assembly to panic.

Cause of Threats

Reports reaching THE PUBLISHER indicates that the DCE had, earlier in the day, informed the chief of the town about plans to relocate the district capital from Ofoase to Twedie, also in the district.

The DCE is said to have explained to the traditional leaders of Ofoase that the Supreme Court had ruled that the district be moved from Ofoase to Twedie and so he (DCE) has no other option.

The chief of Ofoase, Nana Bediako Appiah Ampem, was said to have objected to the DCEs move but Hon. Nana Antwi went ahead to instruct some people to remove air conditioners at the assembly as part of the relocation exercise.

2 Killed

The removal of the air conditioners from the district assembly premises angered the residents of Ofoase, who then marched to the place and threatened to visit mayhem on the DCE and the staff of the assembly.

Reports suggest that the police/military team that were called to the area to ensure law and order, opened fire to disperse the angry-mob, that had then blocked the roads with trees/

In the cause of the shooting, two males, identified as Kwaku, a mason and Prince Boateng, were shot dead. Several other people also sustained life-threatening injuries and they have been hospitalized.

By: Afia Sarpong Amankwa/ thePublisher