Gomoa West: Chiefs Flee for Their Lives as NPP and NDC Supporters Clash Over DRIP Machines
A violent confrontation between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) disrupted a peaceful event in the Gomoa West district on Monday, September 16, 2024. The event, which was intended to commission equipment under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), took a terrifying turn when political tensions flared, forcing traditional chiefs to flee for their safety.
A Day of Development Turns into Chaos
The DRIP commissioning, backed by the Gomoa Akyempim and Gomoa Assin Traditional Councils, was supposed to highlight progress in the district’s infrastructure. However, tensions between the two political parties quickly overshadowed the event. Richard Gyan-Mensah, the MP for Gomoa West, arrived with a group of NDC supporters, which led to a confrontation with NPP supporters already at the scene.
What began as a verbal altercation escalated into violence, with supporters from both sides clashing. Witnesses at the scene reported a brutal fight that left one man severely injured, with part of his ear reportedly chopped off during the brawl. The sudden escalation of violence caused the chiefs and other dignitaries, who were present to oversee the event, to flee for their lives as the chaos intensified.
Accusations of Weapon Use
In the aftermath, accusations flew between the two political camps. Bismark Nkum, the District Chief Executive (DCE) and the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, claimed that MP Richard Gyan-Mensah stormed the event armed with a pistol, chains, and a cutlass. Nkum described the MP’s actions as a deliberate provocation, raising concerns about whether Gyan-Mensah had legal authority to carry the weapon.
Nkum stated, “A whole MP, who is supposed to lead by example, came to an event of development brandishing a pistol.” He questioned how the firearm had been acquired and demanded further investigation into the matter.
Gyan Mensah Responds
In response, Gyan-Mensah firmly denied the claims, branding them as fabrications designed to undermine his reputation. He emphasized that he had not carried any weapons to the event and asserted that if he had done so, the police would have arrested him on the spot.
Speaking to the media, Gyan-Mensah stated, “The allegations are false. If I had indeed been wielding a pistol, the security personnel present would not have hesitated to take action against me. This is simply an attempt to divert attention from the real issue of development”.
Despite the MP’s denial, the incident has sparked widespread concern, especially considering that an individual was seriously injured during the chaos.
Chiefs Forced to Flee
The most shocking aspect of the incident was the sight of chiefs and other traditional authorities fleeing the scene as the violence broke out. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the dignitaries abandon the ceremony to avoid being caught in the crossfire. The chiefs’ hasty departure was a sobering reminder of the extreme nature of the political violence that unfolded in what was meant to be a peaceful and celebratory event.
Political Tensions in Ghana
This clash highlights the ongoing political tensions in Ghana as the 2024 general elections draw near. The fierce competition between the NPP and NDC has created a volatile atmosphere in several districts, with Gomoa West becoming the latest hotspot. The DRIP project, which is intended to enhance road networks and boost local development, has now been overshadowed by the violent confrontation.
The fact that chiefs had to run for their lives during a government-sanctioned event speaks volumes about the level of political polarization and the threat it poses to peace and development. Local leaders have called for calm and urged both political parties to prioritize dialogue over violence in the run-up to the elections.
The Aftermath:Calls for Investigation and Peace
In the aftermath of the violence, both political leaders and citizens alike are demanding a full investigation into the events at Gomoa West. The police have been urged to thoroughly investigate the claims that Gyan-Mensah was armed during the altercation. Additionally, traditional leaders in the district have called for peace and political tolerance, emphasizing the importance of keeping development-focused initiatives free from party politics.
With the general elections looming, there are concerns that more violent clashes could occur if political leaders do not take decisive action to curb escalating tensions. The incident in Gomoa West is a sobering reminder of the fragile state of political peace in the country and the urgent need for cooler heads to prevail.
Source: myjoyonline
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