The assailants also inflicted deep machete wounds on three other persons believed to be supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

[contextly_sidebar id=”9tdFPKcFADuOSYXmm4BaOXEdGhNDMe6u”]In an interview with Citi News, the Brong Ahafo Regional Police PRO, Chief Inspector Augustine Oppong, indicated that the Police are on the lookout for other suspects while the two undergo interrogation.

“Yesterday [Monday], we were able to arrest two people and they have been brought to the Regional Police Headquarters which is in Sunyani. We are taking their statements and if we realize that the evidence is cogent enough, we process them for court. If you look at the traces at the gate of the Minister, we can be sure that the people are more than five. As we have arrested two, we are also going to hunt for the rest.”

This is the second attack on Eric Opoku’s private residence after a similar attack in December 2017.

NPP condemns attack

The attack has been condemned by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency.

The party in a statement signed by the Communications Director of the NPP in the constituency, Nana Adusei Opoku, also urged the Police to bring the perpetrators to book regardless of their party affiliation.

“The NPP in Asunafo South does not support some of these things. In fact, we were the persons who spoke against some these obnoxious acts when we were in opposition,” he told Citi News.

“We solidarise with our MP even though he belongs to the other side of the political divide, we think that some of these things do not help the constituency to move forward. Crime has no color and you being an NPP member doesn’t exonerate you from the courts if you are found to be the culprit of a crime. So if it happens that some our members are behind this thing, the police should take over and the courts will deal with them,” Nana Adusei Opoku stressed.

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The Communications Director of the NPP in the constituency, Nana Adusei Opoku, urged the police to bring the perpetrators to book regardless of their party affiliation.

“The NPP in Asunafo South does not support some of these things. In fact, we were the persons who spoke against some these obnoxious acts when we were in opposition,” he told Citi News.

“We solidarise with our MP even though he belongs to the other side of the political divide, we think that some of these things do not help the constituency to move forward. Crime has no colour and you being an NPP member doesn’t exonerate you from the courts if you are found to be the culprit of a crime. So if it happens that some our members are behind this thing, the police should take over and the courts will deal with them,” Nana Adusei Opoku stressed.

The Police in Kukuom are already on a manhunt for the men who carried out the attack on Sunday and vandalized vehicles in the MP’s compound.

The unknown assailants attacked and wounded three other persons, believed to be supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress, with cutlasses.

This is the second attack on Eric Opoku’s private residence after a similar incident in December 2017.

The Kukuom District Police Commander, DSP Robert Akwasi Boakye, said his outfit has picked up leads that will aid in the arrest of the suspects.

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The unknown assailants are also reported to have inflicted deep cutlass wounds on three other persons believed to be supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress.

The Police say it is unclear what triggered the attack.

In a Citi News interview, the Kukoum District Police Commander, DSP Robert Akwasi Boakye, said his outfit has picked up leads that will aid in the arrest of the suspects.

He said when they received the distress call, the attackers had long escaped so “we combed the town, we couldn’t get them, but we are still investigating in order to track them down.”

DSP Boakye said because the incident happened at night, the victims were able to identify a few of the attackers “so they mentioned their names to us.”

DSP Boakye had earlier told Citi News that the wounded persons are receiving treatment at the hospital.

“It is true that a case of such nature had occurred. Some hooligans attacked the MP for the constituency, Eric Opoku. They attacked his house and caused damage to his Land Cruiser vehicle and two other vehicles which were parked in his residence. They also caused damage to the main gate to his house and some sliding windows and doors.”

“They didn’t stop there, they went ahead to attack others who are also deemed to be NDC sympathizers, caused harm to some of them, and also caused damage to their properties and stole some of the properties,” he added.

DSP Boakye also said about three of the NDC sympathizers were really hurt after sustaining cutlass wounds on their heads and other parts of their bodies.

This is not the first time Eric Opoku’s private residence has been attacked.

In December 2017, a similar incident happened.

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The thugs according to the police also vandalized some of his properties and vehicles.

The armed men are also reported to have inflicted machete wounds on three other persons believed to be sympathizers of the NDC.

The Police say it is unclear what triggered the attack which occurred earlier today, Sunday.

The Kukoum District Police Commander, DSP Robert Akwasi Boakye, who confirmed the incident to Citi News said the wounded persons are receiving treatment at the hospital while investigations have started.

“It is true that a case of such nature had occurred. Some hooligans attacked the MP for the constituency, Eric Opoku. They attacked his house and caused damage to his Land Cruiser vehicle and two other vehicles which were parked in his residence. They also caused damage to the main iron gate to his house and some sliding windows and doors.”

“They didn’t stop there, they went ahead to attack others who are also deemed to be NDC sympathizers, caused harm to some of them, and also caused damage to their properties and stole some of the properties,” he added.

DSP Boakye also said about three of the NDC sympathizers were really hurt after sustaining cutlass wounds on their heads and other parts of their bodies.

“So far we have three of them who were really hurt and we conveyed them to the hospital. Some had cutlass wounds on their heads and others at their back.”

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Pearl Akanya Ofori/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
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Six unidentified assailants, armed with machetes and a gun stormed Mr Opoku’s residence on Monday as he was holding a series of engagements and meetings with his constituents in the building as part of activities to mark the Christmas festivities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”oOTrbvfwsck7YWUz7Hf2tjSuRRAbynG1″]They reportedly broke the glass windows and doors of the house, vandalised several of the vehicles that had been parked on the property and other things they could lay their hands on.

However, when they failed to gain access to one of the top floors of the building where the participants of the event had been moved, the angry youths turned their attention to the private and commercial vehicles which had been hired by the sympathizers and supporters of the MP, breaking the windscreens, side mirrors and deflating the tyres.

According to Citi News checks, the program hosted by the MP was an annual event organized to interact with his constituents to make merry, share experiences and also afford him the opportunity to render an account of his stewardship.

There have been suggestions that the attack on the former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister’s house was politically motivated.

The Minority had, in an earlier statement, condemned the incident stating that it was one of many “designed to intimidate, harass and silence vocal and outspoken members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).”

And speaking to Citi News, the Minority Spokesperson on Defence and Interior, James Agalga called for a thorough investigation into the incident and the arrest of the perpetrators.

According to him, it is important to ascertain the identities of the assailants to determine whether they had indeed attacked the MP’s house because of political motives.

“A sitting Member of Parliament has been attacked for no apparent reason when he was having a meeting with his constituents to mark the Christmas festivities and from every indication, those who unleashed the attack are his political opponents. Is it not important for such an attack to be investigated promptly and the perpetrators brought to book? What happened was an assault on our young and fledgling democracy and should not be tolerated at all,” he said.

“I am reliably informed – and remember there were people in the house at the time of the attack. In any case, that is why I am calling for swift investigations which will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators then you’ll know their real identities. We issued a statement yesterday and we expect that action will be taken.”

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Minority in a statement said the attack was one of many “designed to intimidate, harass and silence vocal and outspoken members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).”

It also said the attack was “not only criminal but is also an assault on our young and fledgling democracy.”

The residence of Mr.Opoku, a former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, was attacked on Christmas morning by unknown assailants when the MP was holding series of engagements and meetings with his constituents.

The assailants, numbering about six are said to have stormed Mr. Opoku’s residence at about 11:30 am.

The Minority is critical of the fact that no arrests have been made and said this was again festering the lawlessness in society.

“As of now, no action has been taken to identify, arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of this atrocious appalling and criminal act. It is inactions of this kind that has created a culture of impunity that enhances the growth of these lawless elements parading as political vigilantes.”

“The minority calls on the law enforcement agencies to act with despatch by fishing out and bringing these faceless hoodlums to book. Such action is crucial to halting and ending these unfettered acts of lawlessness unleashed on Ghanaians across the length and breadth of this country since the NPP came to power,” the statement added.

Find below the full Minority statement

MINORITY STATEMENT ON ATTACK BY NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP) VIGILANTE MOB ON HON. ERIC OPOKU, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ASUNAFO SOUTH.

The minority has learnt with shock and dismay the brutal and unprovoked attack on the member of parliament for the Asunafo South Constituency, Hon. Eric Opoku who is also the former Regional Minister of the Brong Ahafo region under the John Mahama led NDC administration in the early hours of 25th day of December, 2017.

We are reliably informed that the Hon. Eric Opoku had travelled to his constituency to celebrate the Christmas festivities with his constituents and was actually locked up in a meeting at his residence when a mob of NPP supporters numbering about a hundred and armed with machetes and guns carried out the attack without provocation.

In the cause of the unprovoked attack, stones were pelted by the assailants at the residence of the Hon. Eric Opoku and in the process, massive damage was caused to a number of vehicles including a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to the Hon. Member and the residence itself.

The minority in parliament condemns the attack in no uncertain terms as it is yet another manifestation of political vigilantism designed to intimidate, harass and silence vocal and outspoken members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Infact, what happened to the Hon. Eric Opoku on the 25th day of December, 2017 is not only criminal but is also an assault on our young and fledgling democracy.

As of now, no action has been taken to identify, arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of this atrocious appalling and criminal act. It is inactions of this kind that has created a culture of impunity that enhances the growth of these lawless elements parading as political vigilantes.

The minority calls on the law enforcement agencies to act with despatch by fishing out and bringing these faceless hoodlums to book. Such action is crucial to halting and ending these unfettered acts of lawlessness unleashed on Ghanaians across the length and breadth of this country since the NPP came to power.

We will also seize this opportunity to call upon the President, His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo not only to concentrate on alleged crimes committed in the past but also crimes committed under his watch by members of his government and party.

Signed:………………………………..

Hon. James Agalga

Ranking Member,

Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament.

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The MP had reportedly been holding series of engagements and meetings with his constituents in the building as part of activities to mark the Christmas festivities when at the time the incident took place.

The alleged assailants, numbering about six and wielding dangerous objects and machetes stormed Mr. Opoku’s residence at about 11:30am and forcefully gained access to the main building.

They reportedly broke the glass windows and doors of the house, vandalised several of the vehicles that had been parked on the property and other things they could lay their hands on.

However, when they failed to gain access to one of the top floors of the building where the participants of the event had been moved, the angry youths turned their attention to the private and commercial vehicles which had been hired by the sympathizers and supporters of the MP, breaking the windscreens, side mirrors and deflating the tyres.

According to Citi News checks, the programme hosted by the MP was an annual event organized to interact with his constituents to make merry, share experiences and also afford him the opportunity to render an account of his stewardship.

Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Director of Elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Constituency, Prince Nyarko said the programme was the fourth to have been organized by the party and the MP and saw over 300 people in attendance.

He alleged that members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) were behind the attack.

“We picked up signals and threats from the NPP supporters to attack the venue if people did not stop going to the house or the programme. We took the threats for granted and to our surprise, they came there with machetes and one of them was holding a gun and started attacking people in the house but fortunately, no injuries were recorded so we quickly moved them upstairs and they started destroying the parked vehicles including the rented commercial ones. Surprisingly, what is the link between somebody’s private commercial vehicle which he is using for his business to earn a living and Eric Opoku’s political career? They destroyed his Landcruiser and four other cars in the process”, he narrated.

He said the matter had been reported to the District Police who assured them that investigations into the incident have commenced

He also pledged to assist the security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book as he could identify a number of them.

Prince Nyarko assured supporters and sympathizers to remain calm and not attempt any reprisal attacks that would jeopardise the peace in the area as the MP and victims of the attack were safe and are waiting for directives and action from the police.

He observed Sankore has been a stronghold of the NDC since 1992 and accused the NPP of doing everything in their power to intimidate and cause fear and panic gain political power in the area.

“The cause in Asunafo South is purely political and one may ask why always Sankore? Where polling station matters in an election and Sankore has been the stronghold of the NDC since 1992 so the NPP is taking advantage to make the place ungovernable to prevent people from voting. So that is the only reason for these disturbances. So people coming in their numbers to welcome and interact with the MP in the numbers tell how unpopular their administration is in the constituency so that is why they are doing this”, he opined.

On the way forward to end these acts of violence and intimidations, Mr. Nyarko said the security agencies must let the law work in the constituency as a failure to enforce the existing laws was leading to the unnecessary loss of lives and destruction of properties.

“In the Asunafo South laws do not work. At the elections, you can count over 600 incidents pending at the police station, lives lost, money and properties destroyed. Even my house has been attacked more than nine times without reason,” he fumed.

He noted their common enemy was poverty, illiteracy and weak socio-economic development of the area and stretched a hand of friendship to all political parties and development partners to collaborate and fight for the economic transformation of the area.

Police in the area remain tight-lipped on the matter but Citi News checks revealed that the Regional Commander will be visiting the troubled area.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This, they say, is evident in the cancellation of some road projects, challenges with cocoa mass spraying exercise, and replacement of free fertilizers with subsidized ones.

“Our dear farmers, it is sad to note that no provision was made for cocoa roads in the COCOBOD budget for 2017/18. This means that the cocoa roads which are deteriorating faster than anticipated due to the neglect of the NPP government, is going to get worse, making users (mostly farmers) wretchedly despondent and low-spirited to continue to labour for our dear nation,” said the Minority Spokesperson on Agric, Eric Opoku.

[contextly_sidebar id=”X5MQZoID6gg4VpRo5RcgKjPSjlkgXEvX”]Speaking at a press conference on happenings in the cocoa sector at Bodi in the Western Region on Monday, Mr. Opoku also accused the NPP government of sidelining perceived sympathizers of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the distribution of fertilizers, claiming that farmers are plunged into difficulties.

“The programme is over politicized and perceived NDC sympathizers are left out in the distribution of chemicals.”

He further challenged government to come clean on how much government has realized so far in the cocoa stabilization fund.

“You may recall that in the last press conference, we made specific demands in respect of the Cocoa Stabilization Fund established in 2014 by the Mahama government. Even though attempts were made to respond to the issues raised, specific questions were not addressed. We are still interested in knowing how much is accumulated in the Cocoa Stabilization Fund and its impact on cocoa farmers in this critical period.”

On the subsidized fertilizer, Eric Opoku described it as broad day light robbery.

“On 21st June 2017, the Minority in Parliament held a press conference and drew the attention of the NPP Government to the fact that, the Ghanaian Cocoa farmer had indirectly paid for the fertilizers procured for the 2016/17 season, and therefore selling same to them amounts to broad day light robbery. We further explained that in Ghana, cocoa farmers are paid in kind and in cash, and by replacing the free fertilizer with a subsidized system, the NPP would inflict untold hardships on the cocoa farmer.”

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According to the MP, Eric Opoku, President Akufo-Addo, during his campaign for the Presidency as the New Patriotic Party Flagbearer, promised that all the victims of the DKM scam would be paid in full.

Mr. Opoku, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP, however believes that indications from the Finance Minister-designate, Ken Ofori Atta, are that the NPP may not commit to the promise.

When Mr. Ofori Atta appeared before the Parliament’s Appointments Committee, he insisted that, no such promise of refund to DKM customers was captured in the NPP’s manifesto.

“So I asked him a question about the amount involved and the preparations underway to ensure that these people are paid, and he responded by saying that, that is not captured in their manifesto,” the MP noted.

Mr. Opoku subsequently raised his concerns on the floor of Parliament, but some NPP MPs questioned the relevance of his submission.

The MP, however maintained that, he is simply trying to ensure accountability on the part of President Akufo-Addo and the NPP government.

“The issue is that, when you promise, you must deliver… so long us you have made a promise, you must ensure that promise is redeemed and that is exactly what I trying to do now,” Mr. Opoku stated.

I can’t be blamed for DKM saga 

Mr. Opoku, also debunked claims that he allowed the DKM scandal to fester with his inaction given that he was the Chair of the Regional Security Council.

According to him, “the Regional Coordinating Council does not supervise microfinance institutions. It is the Bank of Ghana (BoG) that supervises microfinance institutions.”

“When we realized that they were being cheated, we had to look into how we could save the situation, and that is the reason why we had several security meetings with the bank of Ghana, and ensured that they came up with a road map to pay them.”

Background to DKM saga

Thousands of customers of DKM Microfinance Company lost their investments, running into millions of cedis, after the owners of the company invested in unapproved ventures and lost their funds.

Customers of the company thronged to all the branches to withdraw their funds after the news went viral, creating a panic situation.

The Bank of Ghana confiscated the assets of the company and appointed the Registrar General’s Department to commence liquidation process to refund customers of the company.

The process to refund some of customers is underway, although it is facing some challenges.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The United States clinched an extraordinary, heart-stopping, last-ditch triumph over Ghana on Monday to give its World Cup campaign a magnificent start.

John Brooks was the unlikely hero with an 86th-minute header that proved to be the winning goal in a contest where the U.S. was forced to defend for long periods under sustained pressure from the Ghanians.

It was thrilling and emotional and may have taken a physical toll on the players, but the Americans now sit with a genuine chance of progressing from Group G, the most difficult of all the World Cup pools.

Brooks, a towering 21-year-old defender who was only on the field because of an injury to Matt Besler, got his head to a perfect Graham Zusi corner to secure victory just when the U.S. was starting to lose hope.

Clint Dempsey had given the U.S. a dream start firing in the opening goal after just 31 seconds, the fifth fastest goal in tournament history, courtesy of a brilliant twisting run through the Ghana defense.

But the African side, which knocked the U.S. out of the last two World Cups, bounced back strongly and had countless chances to equalize. Ghana eventually did so with eight minutes left when Andre Ayew ran onto a backheel from Asamoah Gyan and flicked the ball into the net.

At that stage, with Jurgen Klinsmann’s side looking almost totally spent, a heartbreaking defeat was entirely possible. But somehow from somewhere, and in a fashion nearly as dramatic as Landon Donovan’s strike against Algeria at the 2010 World Cup, the team pulled out three priceless points.

Zusi was a replacement himself and kept his nerve when the team won a late corner, curling it directly onto the head of Brooks, who Ghana somehow forgot to mark.

Things do not get any easier, but the Americans can now see real light ahead. Up next is Portugal on Sunday in Manaus, where the U.S. will likely be without injured forward Jozy Altidore. However, they now have a three-point lead on the Portuguese, who were thrashed 4-0 by Germany, and have a shot at reaching the last 16.
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