The meeting is to report on progress made so far in the ongoing dialogue aimed at restoring peace in Togo.

[contextly_sidebar id=”RoGbT56AyTxMXVxkKTUb2e1QsXujteFU”]President Akufo-Addo has been a mediator in the political crisis in that country after weeks of protests against President Faure Gnassignbe.

This meeting comes weeks after the 14 parties decided to suspend all forms of protests and demonstrations aimed at forcing President Faure Gnassingbe to step down,  following a meeting between President Nana Akufo-Addo and representatives of the government in Togo.

‘26 Togolese nationals arrested’

In October 2017, 26 Togolese nationals were arrested in Ghana for attempting to stage an unlawful demonstration over the political situation in their country.

According to the Accra Regional Police Operations Officer, Chief Superintendent Kwasi Ofori, about 300 Togolese had to be dispersed at the Kawukudi Park because their intended action was in clear breach of Ghana’s public order act.

That was the second time Togolese nationals in Ghana had tried demonstrating in solidarity with efforts back home by the opposition to have presidential term limits.

‘We’ll bring political crisis to an end’

The agitation has led to a public outcry, with some persons including the MP for North-Tongu and former Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, calling on the President of Ghana to intervene.

President Akufo-Addo, in response to these concerns had stated that his administration has been working behind closed-doors in an attempt to bring the political crisis to a closure.

The President had said his government was in talks with Togolese officials to address the crisis in that country.

As part of the mediation process, President Nana Addo recently visited Togo where he held a closed-door meeting with Faure Gnassingbe and leaders of the main opposition parties who were initially pushing for presidential term limits.

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By: Marian Ansah & Sammy Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

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This was contained in a communique issued after a meeting between Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo and the Coalition, as well as representatives of the government.

[contextly_sidebar id=”M45fnwPqiHxU7JMIP5q9kgdvHGWMwJp3″]The Coalition, consisting of 14 opposition parties, agreed to suspend demonstrations pending the outcome of the dialogue.

They indicated that, with regards to the remaining issues under appeasement and confidence building, they would appreciate feedback before the next joint meeting.

An issue that was raised by the Coalition on the return to the plenary was the need for the state to delay the planned local and parliamentary elections until the electoral and institutional reforms contained in the rules of procedure had been had considered and decisions taken on them.

Presidential pardon

As part of measures aimed at “appeasement and confidence building”, President Akufo-Addo, as captured by the communiqué, conveyed a number of decisions taken by his Togolese counterpart, President Faure Gnassingbe, to that end.

This included presidential pardons, dated February 19, 2018, for 45 of the 92 persons detained in the country’s prisons as a result of their involvement in the demonstrations.

“The case of the seven (7) persons who were imprisoned as a result of the 2013/2014 market fire riots would be brought before the Court to consider an application for bail by Wednesday, 21st February, 2018,” the Communique added.

The statement further indicated that “other prisoners in detention, as a result of their involvement in the demonstrations, would have their cases examined by the Togolese Judiciary to determine their fate after going into the merits of their individual cases.”

‘I can’t impose any solution on Togo’

President Nana Addo had earlier told political parties that he cannot impose any solution on the current political unrest in the West African country.

“I’ve come here with no solution; prescription or magic wand to impose or prescribe any solution for the resolution of the crisis that has gripped your country in these last months,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo made the remark on Monday moments after a closed-door meeting with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe and leaders of the main opposition parties who are pushing for presidential term limits.

Togo, in recent times, has witnessed a series of protests by opposition parties who are calling for the resignation of their President.

President Akufo Addo, however, expressed optimism about the outcome of the mediation process.

“My task is a simple one – to help assist in the dialogue between the various political actors of this country so that the peace, stability, consolidation of democracy and the rule of law which is the demand of the Togolese people is realized here in Togo,” he added.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Protests suspended in Togo after Nana Addo’s intervention appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The President, who revealed this, said the meeting was aimed at bringing the current crisis in Togo to a closure.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bPEmCBqnIedgWJZBEFm0UUlseRp227FH”]The President disclosed this today [Monday], at a meeting with chiefs and elders of Aflao in the Volta Region, who had expressed concern about the situation in Togo and its effects on Ghana, as some Togolese were already seeking refuge in the Aflao area and its environs.

The President said , “The Togolese President came to see me in Tamale ten days ago, and we are talking to see how we can bring this crisis to a closure and bring stability back to Togo. It is in our interest to do so.”

A number of protests have been staged in Togo by opposition parties in recent times, as calls for the country to return to the use of the 1992 constitution which imposes limits in presidential terms heightens.

The agitation has led to a public outcry, with some persons including the MP for North-Tongu and former Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, calling on the President of Ghana to intervene.

26 Togolese arrested for illegal protest in Accra

Already, twenty-six Togolese nationals are in the grips of the Police in Ghana, for attempting to stage an unlawful demonstration in Accra over the political situation in their country.

President Akufo-Addo described the situation as worrying, adding that, he will play his part to ensure that the crisis is resolved.

“The events that have taken place next door in Togo, are disturbing for all of us and especially for you, I know what it means. I remember vividly in 2005 when the former President Eyadema died, there were problems over the succession. Over 100,000 refugees stringed across the border. Many of them I think are still there. They have not gone back to Togo, so I know that anything that happens in Togo is a matter of very great concern and it is a concern to me and the people of Ghana.

“The appeal we are making are falling on very sympathetic ears. I am not staying idle on this matter. We are acting. Let us pray for the blessing of the Almighty, and we can find a solution that will be in the interest of the people of Togo and by implication the people of Ghana.”

We’re acting on Togo’s political crisis – Nana Addo

President Akufo-Addo stated that his administration is working seriously behind closed-doors to bring the current political crisis in Togo to a closure.

Political crisis

Faure Gnassingbe has been in power since 2005 after the death of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo for nearly 50 years.

The anti-Gnassingbe protests, that have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets across the country, have resulted in over 15 people killed and scores injured.

Three new street marches have been announced for November 7, 8 and 9, despite the Togolese government’s ban on weekday protests.

Togo’s opposition parties have been demanding a return to constitutional term limits for the Presidency, and also for President Faure Gnassingbe to step down.

ECOWAS leaders bashed over seeming silence

ECOWAS leaders have been criticized for their seeming silence over the matter.

But Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs , Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has indicated that “The other ECOWAS countries are all engaged to ensure that everything is okay in our sister country in terms of their politics and adhering to their constitution.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Nana Addo ‘secretly’ meets Faure over Togo political crisis appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the President, his government is in talks with Togolese officials to address the crisis in that country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”9Po1xqcZsLT4gdI7xcU44sUqr9AAauXy”]Togo in recent times has witnessed series of protests by opposition parties, with a call for the country to return to the use of the 1992 constitution which imposes limits on presidential terms.

The agitation has led to a public outcry, with some persons including the MP for North-Tongu and former Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, calling on the President of Ghana to intervene.

Already, twenty-six Togolese nationals are in the grips of the Police in Ghana, for attempting to stage an unlawful demonstration in Accra over the political situation in their country.

Speaking at a meeting with the chiefs and elders of Aflao in the Volta Region, President Akufo-Addo described the situation as worrying, adding that, he will play his part to ensure that the crisis is resolved.

“The events that have taken place next door in Togo, are disturbing for all of us and especially for you, I know what it means. I remember vividly in 2005 when the former President Eyadema died, there were problems over the succession. Over 100,000 refugees stringed across the border. Many of them I think are still there. They have not gone back to Togo, so I know that anything that happens in Togo is  a matter of very great concern and it is a concern to me and the people of Ghana.

“The Togolese President came to see me in Tamale ten days ago, and we are talking to see how we can bring this crisis to a closure and bring stability back to Togo. It is in our interest to do so. The appeal we are making are falling on very sympathetic ears. I am not staying idle on this matter . We are acting.  Let us pray for the blessing of the Almighty, and we can find a solution that will be in the interest of the people of Togo and by implication the people of Ghana.”

Political crisis

Togo’s opposition parties have been demanding a return to constitutional term limits for the Presidency, and also for President Faure Gnassingbe to step down.

Gnassingbe has been in power since 2005 after the death of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo for nearly 50 years.

The anti-Gnassingbe protests, that have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets across the country, have resulted in over 15 people killed and scores injured.

Three new street marches have been announced for November 7, 8 and 9, despite the Togolese government’s ban on weekday protests.

ECOWAS leaders bashed over seeming silence

ECOWAS leaders have been criticized for their seeming silence over the matter.

But Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs , Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has indicated that “The other ECOWAS countries are all engaged to ensure that everything is okay in our sister country in terms of their politics and adhering to their constitution.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’re acting on Togo’s political crisis – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Social media – led by Twitter – had the event trending. People took to the medium to share information, including pictures and videos, about the strike, its effects and their expectations.

Below is an account of how the nationwide demonstration trended on Twitter, with the hashtag #TUCDemo.

By: Kojo Akoto Boateng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post #TUCDemo trends on Twitter appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.