Residents of Ho, the Volta Regional capital, woke up yesterday to a disturbing news that Ghana flag hoisted on the Volta Regional Coordinating Council has been replaced with that of the imaginary Western Togoland.
It was the handiwork of members of the secessionist group who have stepped up their illegal activities of late in their push for a Western Togoland out of Ghana.
The flag replacement, taking place on the eve of Ghana’s 63rd Independence Anniversary today (6th March), appears to have been deliberately done to test the pulse of the security agencies.
The secessionist flag flying at full-mast on the administrative headquarters of the region from the President’s representative in the Volta Region is a mischievous move which drew a lot of curious people to the place.
Many think the Ghana flag was replaced by agents of the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) led by 86-year-old Charles Kormi Kordzordzi, aka Papavi.
Since last year, security agents have mounted a coordinated manhunt for Papavi, the man behind the so-called breakaway from Ghana of the Volta Region and some parts of the Northern and Upper East regions otherwise called Western Togoland.
It is the third time the secessionist group is pulling off an activity around the independence celebration.
Curious Observation
Observers are concerned that they heighten agitations for a breakaway only when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is in office. Anytime the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which dominates the areas where the agitations are coming from are in power, little or no declaration for a breakaway from Ghana is heard from the group.
Last year, the group declared their independence from Ghana and later started training recruits in a forest area in the region.
Soldiers from the 66 Artillery Regiment descended upon the location and arrested a number of suspects who were eventually sent to court but almost all of them have since been freed.
The police have removed the secessionist flag and replaced the Ghana flag.
VR Minister
When contacted, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, said the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) takes strong exception to the act and have since met to tighten security, especially as the independence celebration takes place today.
He added that the police would commence investigation into the matter with a view to arresting those behind it.
A resident, Atsu Ahlidza, said “it appears government is not ‘being hard’ on the group and their activities.” He believes that if the secessionists are arrested and detained indefinitely, it will serve as a deterrent to others.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)