The OMCs Managers served the notice of their intention to close down their outlets, following a spate of armed robbery attacks that resulted in the killing of four pump attendants, a watchman and a driver at six fuel stations within the space of two weeks.

[contextly_sidebar id=”LxiyKrW6oX9pH5BVV8K6tF1xrr2UUZcl”]However, they reversed their decision after assurances from the Regional Security Council yesterday (Tuesday) of adequate protection.

The Regional Minister who doubles as the REGSEC Chairman, Salifu Saeed, condemned the deadly incidents and promised that joint police and military patrol teams will intensify their night operations to clamp down on the activities of armed robbers in the region.

He said security checkpoints would be mounted at vantage points in the Tamale Metropolis to thoroughly search vehicles and motorcycles which used those roads late at night.

He tasked the managers of the OMCs and the general public to volunteer relevant information to the law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute miscreants.

Area Manager of Naagamni Oil Marketing Company Limited, Abdul Razak Hudu, on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the REGSEC for the assurances.

He told Citi News they were satisfied with the promises made by the Council and pledged their commitment to liaise with the law enforcement agencies to flush out the armed robbers.

The six fuel stations that were robbed included the Kakpagyili Shell fuel station, two Naagamni fuel stations at Kanshegu and Kasalgu and Superior oil fuel station at Datoyili.

The most recent attack occurred at the Kakpagyili Shell filling station on Saturday January 27, 2018 where the watchman was killed.

Some of the pump attendants who were beaten during the attacks are receiving treatment at various health facilities.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post OMCs back down on shutdown threats after N/R REGSEC assurances appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the residents, the directive is negatively affecting the smooth running of businesses and movement in the community.

[contextly_sidebar id=”lEMgofl8GJvlFRdtZV9IhjIIoDwBWDmk”]Last Friday, REGSEC banned the use of motorbikes in two of the region’s hotspots, following a shooting incident which claimed the lives of three persons.

But residents of Bimbilla who say the motorbike serves as their means of transport are appealing to the Regional Security Council to review the ban.

One resident who spoke to Citi News said: “This is a very serious issue because here, our main transportation is the motorbike. Assuming I’m carrying my father, he is old and they say I should not carry somebody if we are going to farm, how do we do it?”

Another said: “I have six members of staff and it is only me who goes to school on a single bike. The other people always come to school in pairs. Yesterday when I came to school, we were three and when I asked what happened, they said we should not carry people on motorbikes. The effect is that the standard of education is going to go very bad. We are already battling with it here.”

Three people died in Bimbilla, with eight others injured in the attack which occurred last Thursday.

According to eyewitnesses, two persons on a motorbike allegedly shot at them and sped off.

Five persons who sustained various degrees of injury are receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, with three others at the Bimbilla Hospital.

The incident led to sporadic shootings in some parts of the troubled town.

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By: Felicia Osei /citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bimbilla residents beg REGSEC to lift motorcycle ban appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The summoned chiefs include the Paramount Chief of Wasipe in Gonjaland, and others from the Tampulima community.

The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, issued the summons during a fact-finding visit to the troubled Diisah and Salugu communities in the North Gonja District.

Salifu Saeed, who is the Chairman of the Regional Security Council,  told Citi News that the chiefs are scheduled to appear before REGSEC tomorrow [Tuesday] January 16, 2018.

He served notice that any chief found culpable in the renewed chieftaincy dispute would face the full rigours of the law.

Mr. Saeed said REGSEC’s timely visit to the area foiled further reprisal attacks, adding that “combatants from the two sides of the chieftaincy divide were armed to the teeth to retaliate over the weekend clashes.”

“We have sent a very clear warning to the chiefs because at the time we went to the Wasipewura’s Palace, they were armed and prepared to attack the other side of the chieftaincy divide.”

“So I have invited the Wasipewura and his elders and the Tampulima Chief and his elders to a meeting tomorrow in Tamale.”

He stated that his outfit will ensure that any individual or group that tries to jeopardize the security in the area will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“We will not sit down and allow anybody or any chief to jeopardize the peace of the area, and we are ready to arrest any chief found fueling tensions in their communities,” Salifu Saeed warned.

He said that REGSEC had reinforced the security presence in the troubled communities to avert further incidents.

He admonished the feuding factions to peacefully coexist and use dialogue to resolve their grievances.

Several compounds were set ablaze, displacing hundreds in the two troubled communities. So far, 40 suspects have been rounded up to assist the police in their investigations.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post N/R: REGSEC summons North Gonja rulers over chieftaincy clashes appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

As part of the operation, Police and Military will be deployed to patrol the Kwahu enclave to avert clashes.

This approach to fighting the menace in the era of then President Kufuor, has been criticized as not being effective.

But speaking at a press conference to address the recent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers at Dwebease and Hweehwee which led to the death of 5 Fulani’s and 3 locals, the Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour, stated that a number of action plans have been adopted by REGSEC for consideration.

The Minister, who is automatically the Head of the Eastern Regional Security Council, expressed concern about the recent happenings in the Kwahu East District, saying, “I must say we are not happy at all with these reprisal attacks which has led to the loss of lives. Every individual in this country’s matters, and as such we will ensure that the right things are done.”

“On the whole, the killings in Kwahu East were unfortunate, but the security will work around the clock to stem the situation in the area.”

The resolutions reached at the REGSEC meeting are as follows:

1. Hold a press briefing to inform all about the current state of affairs in Kwahu East, and also allay the fears of the inhabitants in the area that the security in the region is handling the issue to ensure their safety.

2. Members of the REGSEC will also visit the affected areas in Kwahu East on Monday 6th November, 2017. As part of the visit, another meeting with the Fulani leadership in Kwahu, Chiefs, Farmers and other stakeholders will be held to further discuss the issue.

3. A proposal for addressing the Fulani menace submitted to REGSEC by the Kwahu Hene will be looked into.

4. Operation Cow leg to the Rescue – Council is of the opinion that if funds could be made available for the Operation CowLeg just as it’s being done for Operation Vanguard, a lot could be achieved. REGSEC will propose it to National security for consideration.

5. REGSEC considering the need to revive the the fodder bank system and possibly propose to government to create a fodder bank around the Dwerebease enclave.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post E/Region: Operation cow leg returning to fight fulani menace appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to REGSEC, series of meetings will be held with heads of the various factions as part of measures to broker peace between the two groups.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3SjuTZeKR64ENvVN18YrDs7Ymr9xRNEF”]Chaos erupted within Ga Mashie after one of the factions, the Abola Piam We, threatened to install a new Ga Mantse by close of this year, in response to the reported installation of another individual as the Ga Mantse.

Speaking to Citi News, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ishmael Ashitey, said REGSEC will ensure peace is restored.

“We are going to talk about peace, so members of the Security Council will be meeting tomorrow [Saturday]. The problem is between the last group and the second group, but it is our responsibility to ensure that there is peace all the time…We have been working towards attaining peace in the Greater Accra Region. We have also advised them to go back to the law courts to resolve their issues.”

The confusion over who qualifies to be the Ga Mantse, has existed since the demise of Boni Nii Amugi II, in December 2004, which was followed by several people laying claim to the stool.

Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II became the fifth Ga Mantse to be installed since the death of Nii Amugi II.

According to Ga tradition, the kingship rotates among four royal houses, namely, Teiko Tsuru We, Amugi We, Abola Piam We and Tackie Kommey We.

The general consensus is that, it is the Abola Piam We’s turn to enstool a Ga Mantse.

Reverse Nii Adama Latse’s induction as Ga Mantse – Ga Traditional Council

Just last week, acting President of the Ga Traditional Council, Nii Dodoo Nsaki II, who is also Otublohum Mantse, asked the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs to reverse the induction of Nii Adama Latse as the Ga Mantse into its fold.

The Council says it has picked reports in sections of the media suggesting that Nii Adama Latse has been inducted into the House of Chiefs as Ga Mantse.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post REGSEC to settle dispute over Ga Mantse installation appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Scores of military and police personnel left Tamale today (Wednesday) for Bimbilla, to augment the operations of the team there.

This is to avert any untoward situation in the area following the upcoming burial of the late chief.

[contextly_sidebar id=”20r0dq9TH09tyOWZFK8zVE108nn2qLfN”]The late Nakpaa-Naa Salifu Dawuni died on 5th March 2014, and his remains have been deposited at the Yendi hospital morgue.

The REGSEC in consultation with the Nanumba North District Security Committee (DISEC), has finally given the late chief’s family the right to bury him at his private residence in Bimbila.

Chairman of the REGSEC, Salifu Sa-eed, in a Citi News interview pleaded with both sides of the chieftaincy divide to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies.

He emphasized the need for all stakeholders and residents of Bimbila, to exercise maximum restraint before, during and after the burial.

He reassured residents of Nanung of government’s neutrality in handling the Bimbila chieftaincy dispute.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by Bakpab Naa Nantogmmah Adam, on behalf of the Dasana family, warned that they will resist any attempt to bury the late Nakpa-Naa Salifu Dawuni as overlord of Bimbila.

“Nakpaa-Naa Salifu Dawuni died as a Nakpaa-Naa, hence should be buried as Nakpaa-Naa and not Bimbila Naa.”

“We recalled that the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in his recent visit to some parts of the Northern Region, indicated that his government will not interfere in any chieftaincy matters,

“He even warned that he the President will not hesitate to sanction any of his appointees who meddles in any chieftaincy issues, we pause here to ask whether Bimbila chieftaincy crisis is part of the chieftaincy issues that His Excellency was talking about?”

“We suspect strongly that some politicians in Nanung are behind these evil plans to forcefully bury the late Nakpaa-Naa Salifu Dawuni in Bimbila against the norms and customs of the traditional area.

“We are appealing to President Akufo Addo. Please walk your talk by bringing such politicians to book before they turn the entire Nanung into chaos.”

Below is the REGSEC’s official statement:

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post REGSEC beefs up Bimbilla security ahead of late chief’s burial appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The fuel station (Dukes Petroleum) which is located on the Koforidua Nkurakan main road at Ada close to the municipal office of the Ghana Water Company Limited is sandwiched between more than 22 residential properties serving as home to hundreds of residents.

At the 1st ordinary of the 2nd Session of the 7th Assembly of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly with the new Municipal Chief,    Comfort Asante, the assembly members debated furiously on the construction of the filling station.

Some members questioned the competence of the directors at the assembly in the role they played in allowing the said construction of the filling station in the first place.

Iddrisu Abubakari Beewasa, a member of the Assembly called for an immediate revocation of the permit issued to the owner of the filling station, adding “we are all in this country when a naked fire from a domestic user close to the circle filling station caused havoc and damage to properties and lost of lives, and like it happen in La. This will be a bad precedent,  So I am calling on the assembly to  revoke the permit or the property should be used for a different business like a super market or something else.”

Other assembly members also argued for the owner of the filling station to start operation because he has already completed the project and has invested heavily in the project.

Another member, Kwaku Ankomah Asare however disagreed saying “I was not a member of the assembly then when the project was approved by the statutory planning committee but I remember at one of the statutory planning meetings I questioned the procedural structures because the owners did most of the construction at night when residents were asleep. I am really against the sighting of that filling station I must say.”

The Municipal Chief Executive of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly, Comfort Asante in an interview with Citi News said “I must admit this issue has been a challenge ever since I took office, I wasn’t here when the go ahead was given to the owner  but the issue now is at REGSEC so we are all waiting from them.”

Close sources within the Regional Security Council (REGSEC)  say they are also equally divided on this same issue.

Meanwhile the Regional Environmental Protection Agency is yet to renew the licence of Dukes Petroleum while the Regional National Fire Service Command is strongly of the view that the area is not suitable for the filling station.

Citi News checks at the location of the filling station revealed that all is set for the owner Dukes Petroleum to start full operation as he has managed to secretly filled underground tanks with fuel, having fixed 4 fuel pumps already.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post E/R: Assembly members divided over filling station appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Norther Region has been home to ethnic and chieftaincy related violence, notably the tensions between the Andani and Abudu clans in the Dagbon Traditional Area, and more recently, the flaring up of clashes in Bimbilla.

The clashes in Bimbilla left at least 10 persons dead, with several others injured, after the attempted enskinment of a sub-chief in the town by the regent, despite warnings from police.

Speaking to Citi News, the General Secretary of the NDC in the Northern Region, Halid Abdul Rauf, said Mr. Saeed would do well to avoid partisanship and heed the advice of the Northern Regional Security Council in dealing with the tensions in the region and achieving lasting peace.

“In this region, you must always ensure that you are dealing with the matter objectively and that you are on the side of the truth. At the end, there may be people who may not like the way you handle the issues, but at the end of the day, what is most important is that those who actually understand the truth will know the truth.”

Mr. Rauf added that ,”what is most important is for him to liaise properly with the Regional Security Council and then always try to rely on the advice of the Regional Security Council because they may not belong not any faction of a family or any political party.”

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

The post Be impartial in handling conflicts – NDC to N/R Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 23-year old ex-AshantiGold right back who joined Liege from the Real Madrid Castilla in 2010 on Sunday morning posted on his official twitter page.

How fast time can fly, 4 years in Standard de Liége, Wow!! I wish this day never came. Thank you STANDARD

The post Daniel Opare hints at Standard Liege exit appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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