Invasion of public installations and some state institutions continue

Alleged supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party locked up two offices of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in the Northern Region yesterday.

The armed youth invaded the agency offices in the Tamale Metro and Sagnarigu district sacking the staff.

There was a report of a similar attack on the regional office of the National Health Insurance Authority.
 
They hung red banners with inscriptions such as “strictly out of bounds” and “our government is in power”.
 
At the YEA offices, the situation nearly generated into chaos as staff struggled to pack out.

It took the intervention of personnel of the Ghana Police Service to avert further destruction.

The Regional Commander of Rapid Deployment Force of the Ghana Police Service, ASP Apreku, who was at the scene told Radio Ghana that, some personnel will be stationed at the various offices to protect lives and property. 

The Regional Director of the YEA, Tanko Rashid Computer, condemned the attack.

Meanwhile the Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Paul Asare Ansah, has been explaining what transpired at the Authority's premises when a group, said to be members of the invisible Forces of the NPP gathered there demanding to be given jobs. 

He told Radio Ghana that, the management was surprised to have seen about a hundred members of the group on its premises requesting to be employed.

In a related development, International relations and Security Expert, Irbard Ibrahim, has condemned the practice where youth of political parties seize some state assets without recourse to due process. 
 
Speaking to Radio Ghana, he said there is no justification for people to vandalise state property which costs huge sums to put up. 
 
Mr. Ibrahim laid the blame at the door step of the winner takes all system.

Mr. Ibrahim charged the Security agencies to work hard to clamp down on these unlawful acts. 
 
He mentioned that due to political interference, these cases are not pursued to their logical conclusion.

A Political Scientist at the University of Education Winneba, Dr. Briamah Awaisu, has also described as worrying reports that, some party supporters are claiming ownership of state property because their party is now in government.
 
Speaking to radio Ghana, Dr Awaisu, said, the trend is continuing because in previous administrations, people who engaged in such acts were not punished.

He called on the political establishment to allow the Police to prosecute such groups and persons, to serve as a caution to all.

The Police says, it is a criminal offence for any group of persons to besiege state facilities without authorization.

The Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Agordzo speaking on Radio Ghana's Behind the News said the Police will not hesitate to treat these persons as criminals and cautioned such groups to respect the law.

He said the service is monitoring the trend and will act appropriately.

The Western Regional Police Command has asked the public to remain calm in the wake of news of seizures of public facilities including toilets and toll booths by unidentified groups in some parts of the country.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Olivia Adiku said the police is ready and will deal with anyone found going against the law. 

She noted that such facilities are under the administration of the various, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

GBC