19/12/2007
Huge police presence at NPP congress
Story: Mary Mensah,
A Large number of policemen have been deployed at the University of Ghana campus to provide maximum security to ensure peace at the delegates conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The policemen, who were deployed on Thursday, were drawn from the Critical Intelligent Unit, the Panthers Unit, the Rapid Deployment Force, the Armour Car Squadron and the Operational Units of the Greater Accra Regional Police Command.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, disclosed this in an interview at Dodowa. He said the operations would have a command centre on the university campus to co-ordinate all security operations.
He indicated that the Director-General of Operations of the Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick Timbilla, and the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Opare Addo, would be at the helm of affairs.
The IGP said the policemen would embark on vehicular and foot patrols at the various halls where the delegates and aspirants would lodge.
Mr Acheampong said checkpoints and barriers would also be mounted on the main Legon road and some spots within the university campus to search for weapons, drugs and other dangerous implements to forestall any eventuality.
He said in the past, delegates conferences were conducted in a peaceful and organised manner which did not warrant any police presence there, “but now things have changed because supporters of an aspirant can attack supporters of other aspirants, which can result in casualties".
He said some robbers might take advantage of the situation to steal and warned that the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure a successful congress.
The IGP gave the assurance that the police were on top of the situation and would ensure that delegates and aspirants had a peaceful stay .
On security measures for the Christmas and the Ghana 2008 tournament, the IGP said security men would be deployed in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi from December 15, 2007 to February 25, 2008.
He said their operations could cause disruptions in traffic management and appealed to members of the public to bear with the police.
For his part, DCOP Timbilla said a comprehensive traffic management plan had been put in place to ease traffic during the NPP congress on Saturday.
He said to that end, enough Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) men would be deployed at all intersections and the various corridors to manage the traffic.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
IGP ASSURES GHANAIANS
03/01/2008
Story: Mary Mensah
The Police Administration has assured Ghanaians that it has put in place effective crime prevention and control measures to fight crime from all fronts in 2008.
Consequently, all police commands in the regions, divisions and districts throughout the country would be involved in serious intelligent gathering particularly in crime-prone areas and criminal hideouts.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, giving a new year message through the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, said the police would forge partnerships with the public to win their support.
He said it was worthy to note that in line with policing practices, security, peace and safety issues and concerns are no longer the preserve of the police organisations the world over, “Policing or security is now a shared responsibility between the security services and the communities or general public.”
The IGP, therefore, appealed to all to see themselves as active stakeholders in providing security for themselves and the communities within which they live.
He said the general attitude and professional conduct of police personnel would be upgraded to meet the expectations of the public.
On Ghana 2008, Mr Acheampong said a comprehensive security management planning, supported by series of training, both locally and abroad, had been put in place by the security agencies to ensure a successful tournament.
He said the police together with the relevant stakeholders have adopted a multi-agency approach and efforts would be made to ensure adequate peace and security within the cities and on the highways, good accommodation, desirable sanitation and effective communication among others.
“The Police Administration wishes to appeal to all the visiting teams, officials supporters and tourists to endeavour to respect the laws of the country and not to hesitate to contact the police for any assistance or to provide any useful information which would promote peace and a successful tournament,” he said.
To the Ghanaian public, the IGP said the Police Administration would expect support and co-operation to handle the expected large number of visitors to the country for the tournament.
He expressed the hope that Ghanaians would continue to display their legendary hospitality, generosity, care and love for the visitors and to cheer up the Black Stars with a high level of decorum, and respect for the rule of law.
Story: Mary Mensah
The Police Administration has assured Ghanaians that it has put in place effective crime prevention and control measures to fight crime from all fronts in 2008.
Consequently, all police commands in the regions, divisions and districts throughout the country would be involved in serious intelligent gathering particularly in crime-prone areas and criminal hideouts.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, giving a new year message through the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, said the police would forge partnerships with the public to win their support.
He said it was worthy to note that in line with policing practices, security, peace and safety issues and concerns are no longer the preserve of the police organisations the world over, “Policing or security is now a shared responsibility between the security services and the communities or general public.”
The IGP, therefore, appealed to all to see themselves as active stakeholders in providing security for themselves and the communities within which they live.
He said the general attitude and professional conduct of police personnel would be upgraded to meet the expectations of the public.
On Ghana 2008, Mr Acheampong said a comprehensive security management planning, supported by series of training, both locally and abroad, had been put in place by the security agencies to ensure a successful tournament.
He said the police together with the relevant stakeholders have adopted a multi-agency approach and efforts would be made to ensure adequate peace and security within the cities and on the highways, good accommodation, desirable sanitation and effective communication among others.
“The Police Administration wishes to appeal to all the visiting teams, officials supporters and tourists to endeavour to respect the laws of the country and not to hesitate to contact the police for any assistance or to provide any useful information which would promote peace and a successful tournament,” he said.
To the Ghanaian public, the IGP said the Police Administration would expect support and co-operation to handle the expected large number of visitors to the country for the tournament.
He expressed the hope that Ghanaians would continue to display their legendary hospitality, generosity, care and love for the visitors and to cheer up the Black Stars with a high level of decorum, and respect for the rule of law.
US NAVY TRAINS GHANAIAN NAVY
20/11/2007
Story: Mary Mensah
The Africa Partnership Station (APS), an initiative recently launched by the United States to support regional maritime security and safety in West and Central Africa, has begun training Ghanaian Naval Officers at Tema.
The APS is a floating continuing education and training facility located on board the USS Fort McHenry, a 185-metre dock landing ship normally used to support amphibious operations which is expected to impart knowledge on issues such as maritime security and fisheries protection to Ghanaian Naval officers.
At a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a clinic at the Tema Naval Base before the opening of the training programme, the American Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Pamela Bridgewater, said the APS was an expanded effort by the United States Department of Defence and multiple civilian organisations to bring staff training to Africa.
She said APS demonstrated the dedicated partnership in the region and signalled the continuing co-operation between the governments of the United States, Ghana and other Gulf of Guinea nations.
Ms Bridgewater said APS also represented the first fruits of the new parent command, AFRICOM, and would serve as a first step to demonstrate its shared goals to meet African Security issues with African solutions.
She stated that the clinic, which was estimated to cost $120,000 aside labour, was expected to be completed in March, next year. It would provide medical assistance to the military and civilian community in the Tema Naval base area. She said labour would be provided by the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“Once completed it will be the centre of a community outreach programme jointly run by the international NGO, Project Hope, and doctors from the US Navy,” she said.
The Deputy Defence Minster, Mr Boafo, said about eight years ago the US Navy demonstrated its care by building a clinic at the Southern Naval Base at Sekondi.
He said the construction of the clinic at the Eastern Naval Base in Tema would greatly reduce the burden on the 37 Military Hospital.
He said the US government was running a number of programmes for the Ghana Army in terms of training and urged them to extend the assistance to the Ghana Airforce too.
‘We will no longer travel to the United States to learn naval manoeuvres but will now learn in our own waters with the arrival of the APS in the country,” he said.
The Deputy Minister expressed the appreciation of the government of Ghana to the US government for the continuous support and assistance.
Commander John Nowell of the APS said maritime insecurity in Africa impacted the global community because world trade travelled predominantly by water and forged a global maritime link.
He said the safety, economic security and prosperity of all nations depended on the secure use of the world’s oceans but this could also be used to threaten the security of the people everywhere.
He said maritime insecurity caused by unlawful fishing, illegal drug trafficking, arms and human trafficking, oil smuggling, environmental destruction, piracy and illegal seaborne immigration jeopardised economic development and long-term stability.
Commander Nowell said the APS made its first stop in Dakar Senegal from where they moved to Liberia and Ghana and were expected to go to Cameroon, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe.
It is expected to train 120 Naval Officers each in all the countries they would be visiting.
He said the training teams would work to improve professionalism in four key areas of maritime domain awareness, professionalism, infrastructure and enforcement.
The goal, he said, would be to impart the needed skills for African navies to patrol and maintain their own exclusive economic zones in the sense of maritime safety and security to stop illegal fishing and to combat smuggling, which had become a billion-dollar industry off the West Coast of Africa.
Story: Mary Mensah
The Africa Partnership Station (APS), an initiative recently launched by the United States to support regional maritime security and safety in West and Central Africa, has begun training Ghanaian Naval Officers at Tema.
The APS is a floating continuing education and training facility located on board the USS Fort McHenry, a 185-metre dock landing ship normally used to support amphibious operations which is expected to impart knowledge on issues such as maritime security and fisheries protection to Ghanaian Naval officers.
At a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a clinic at the Tema Naval Base before the opening of the training programme, the American Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Pamela Bridgewater, said the APS was an expanded effort by the United States Department of Defence and multiple civilian organisations to bring staff training to Africa.
She said APS demonstrated the dedicated partnership in the region and signalled the continuing co-operation between the governments of the United States, Ghana and other Gulf of Guinea nations.
Ms Bridgewater said APS also represented the first fruits of the new parent command, AFRICOM, and would serve as a first step to demonstrate its shared goals to meet African Security issues with African solutions.
She stated that the clinic, which was estimated to cost $120,000 aside labour, was expected to be completed in March, next year. It would provide medical assistance to the military and civilian community in the Tema Naval base area. She said labour would be provided by the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“Once completed it will be the centre of a community outreach programme jointly run by the international NGO, Project Hope, and doctors from the US Navy,” she said.
The Deputy Defence Minster, Mr Boafo, said about eight years ago the US Navy demonstrated its care by building a clinic at the Southern Naval Base at Sekondi.
He said the construction of the clinic at the Eastern Naval Base in Tema would greatly reduce the burden on the 37 Military Hospital.
He said the US government was running a number of programmes for the Ghana Army in terms of training and urged them to extend the assistance to the Ghana Airforce too.
‘We will no longer travel to the United States to learn naval manoeuvres but will now learn in our own waters with the arrival of the APS in the country,” he said.
The Deputy Minister expressed the appreciation of the government of Ghana to the US government for the continuous support and assistance.
Commander John Nowell of the APS said maritime insecurity in Africa impacted the global community because world trade travelled predominantly by water and forged a global maritime link.
He said the safety, economic security and prosperity of all nations depended on the secure use of the world’s oceans but this could also be used to threaten the security of the people everywhere.
He said maritime insecurity caused by unlawful fishing, illegal drug trafficking, arms and human trafficking, oil smuggling, environmental destruction, piracy and illegal seaborne immigration jeopardised economic development and long-term stability.
Commander Nowell said the APS made its first stop in Dakar Senegal from where they moved to Liberia and Ghana and were expected to go to Cameroon, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe.
It is expected to train 120 Naval Officers each in all the countries they would be visiting.
He said the training teams would work to improve professionalism in four key areas of maritime domain awareness, professionalism, infrastructure and enforcement.
The goal, he said, would be to impart the needed skills for African navies to patrol and maintain their own exclusive economic zones in the sense of maritime safety and security to stop illegal fishing and to combat smuggling, which had become a billion-dollar industry off the West Coast of Africa.
ANTI TERRORISM COURSE FOR POLICE OPENS
27/11/2007.
Story: Mary Mensah
A Counter Terrorism Professional Development Course to equip the Ghana Police with skills to enable them measure up to the security challenges for CAN 2008 has opened in Accra.
The course is being organised by the Cranfield University of the United Kingdom in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Police Service.
The participants are expected to be taken through the global threats from international terrorism, specific threats to Ghana terrorism and crime scene management among others.
Opening the course in Accra today, DCOP Patrick Timbilla, Director General of Police Operations indicated that this is the third in a series of courses that has been organised for the police to draw up a comprehensive plan for the security management of the tournament.
He said the uniqueness of the course is two fold, “ first of all it is not only for the purpose of CAN 2008 but for the participants to update their knowledge of investigative techniques for anti-terrorism investigations”.
He said secondly participants includes instructors from all police training institutions and this will help to improve their lesson plans for criminal investigations and this will go along way to improve recruit learning in the training institutions.
The Director General said the course would assist the police to prepare themselves against any attempt of terrorism in the country.
He thanked the British government for their continues immense assistance to the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Finance for releasing funds for training programmes for Ghana 2008.
Mr Keith Weston, one of the three resource persons from Cranfield stated that the more a country participates in international events it becomes vulnerable to terrorism attacks.
He said the course will help Ghana to come out with a workable solutions in case of any eventuality.
Story: Mary Mensah
A Counter Terrorism Professional Development Course to equip the Ghana Police with skills to enable them measure up to the security challenges for CAN 2008 has opened in Accra.
The course is being organised by the Cranfield University of the United Kingdom in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Police Service.
The participants are expected to be taken through the global threats from international terrorism, specific threats to Ghana terrorism and crime scene management among others.
Opening the course in Accra today, DCOP Patrick Timbilla, Director General of Police Operations indicated that this is the third in a series of courses that has been organised for the police to draw up a comprehensive plan for the security management of the tournament.
He said the uniqueness of the course is two fold, “ first of all it is not only for the purpose of CAN 2008 but for the participants to update their knowledge of investigative techniques for anti-terrorism investigations”.
He said secondly participants includes instructors from all police training institutions and this will help to improve their lesson plans for criminal investigations and this will go along way to improve recruit learning in the training institutions.
The Director General said the course would assist the police to prepare themselves against any attempt of terrorism in the country.
He thanked the British government for their continues immense assistance to the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Finance for releasing funds for training programmes for Ghana 2008.
Mr Keith Weston, one of the three resource persons from Cranfield stated that the more a country participates in international events it becomes vulnerable to terrorism attacks.
He said the course will help Ghana to come out with a workable solutions in case of any eventuality.
IGP DONATES
27/12/2007
Story & Pix: Mary Mensah, Dodowa
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, yesterday presented a cow, assorted food items worth ¢20 million and a cash of ¢300 to the Women Refuge and Child Survival Africa, an NGO based at Dodowa.
The items were contributions made by the IGP, his office staff and the Public Affairs Directorate to assist the NGO which caters for battered women and abused children.
He also announced that a club would be formed at the police headquarters to contribute money to offer monthly assistance to the home to put smiles on the faces of the children and women.
The IGP also promised to provide the shelter with a television set before the beginning of CAN 2008 to enable them to watch the matches and other educative programmes.
The Proprietor of the NGO, Mrs Jane Adu, thanked the IGP and his staff for the gesture and called on other organisations and individuals to go to the aid of the home.
She said currently the shelter was taking care of about 45 abandoned children and five battered women, adding that since the setting up of the shelter some six years ago she had been financing its activities from her own meagre resources.
She appealed for assistance from the public to enable the shelter to meet its requirements.
Pix: The IGP, Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, presenting the items to the Proprietor of the shelter, Mrs Jane Adu, as some members of staff of the IGP office and the children look on.
Story & Pix: Mary Mensah, Dodowa
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, yesterday presented a cow, assorted food items worth ¢20 million and a cash of ¢300 to the Women Refuge and Child Survival Africa, an NGO based at Dodowa.
The items were contributions made by the IGP, his office staff and the Public Affairs Directorate to assist the NGO which caters for battered women and abused children.
He also announced that a club would be formed at the police headquarters to contribute money to offer monthly assistance to the home to put smiles on the faces of the children and women.
The IGP also promised to provide the shelter with a television set before the beginning of CAN 2008 to enable them to watch the matches and other educative programmes.
The Proprietor of the NGO, Mrs Jane Adu, thanked the IGP and his staff for the gesture and called on other organisations and individuals to go to the aid of the home.
She said currently the shelter was taking care of about 45 abandoned children and five battered women, adding that since the setting up of the shelter some six years ago she had been financing its activities from her own meagre resources.
She appealed for assistance from the public to enable the shelter to meet its requirements.
Pix: The IGP, Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, presenting the items to the Proprietor of the shelter, Mrs Jane Adu, as some members of staff of the IGP office and the children look on.
CRIME SITUATION UNDER CONTROL (PAGE 3)
31/12/2007
Story: Mary Mensah
THE crime situation within the Accra metropolis during the Christmas festivities was reduced following stringent security measures that were put in place by the security agencies, the Accra Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Boi-Bi-Boi, has noted.
From December 19, 2007 to date only five minor robberies have been recorded in the metropolis and its environs.
In an interview in Accra yesterday, Chief Supt Boi-Bi-Boi said compared to previous years, and even the weeks prior to the festivities, this year was better.
He said the police recorded two residential robberies, two street robberies and one car jacking during the period.
Chief Supt Boi-Bi-Boi said the robberies were recorded at Papase, near Amasaman, Madina, the Swanlake area in North Kaneshie, Pig Farm and Accra Central.
According to him, the operational strategies that were put in place by the security agencies largely accounted for the reduction in crime.
He said security was beefed up within the metropolis with military and police personnel placed at all intersections to send signals to the criminals that the security agencies were firmly on the ground.
He said day and night patrols were also intensified, with the patrol teams embarking on foot patrols at areas noted to be prone to crime, saying that must have warded off the criminals.
Chief Supt Boi-Bi-Boi said the exercise would be sustained to cover the period of the Ghana 2008 soccer fiesta.
He said from January the security agencies would be on high alert to ensure that visitors and tourists to the country for the tournament would go about in the city freely.
Story: Mary Mensah
THE crime situation within the Accra metropolis during the Christmas festivities was reduced following stringent security measures that were put in place by the security agencies, the Accra Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Boi-Bi-Boi, has noted.
From December 19, 2007 to date only five minor robberies have been recorded in the metropolis and its environs.
In an interview in Accra yesterday, Chief Supt Boi-Bi-Boi said compared to previous years, and even the weeks prior to the festivities, this year was better.
He said the police recorded two residential robberies, two street robberies and one car jacking during the period.
Chief Supt Boi-Bi-Boi said the robberies were recorded at Papase, near Amasaman, Madina, the Swanlake area in North Kaneshie, Pig Farm and Accra Central.
According to him, the operational strategies that were put in place by the security agencies largely accounted for the reduction in crime.
He said security was beefed up within the metropolis with military and police personnel placed at all intersections to send signals to the criminals that the security agencies were firmly on the ground.
He said day and night patrols were also intensified, with the patrol teams embarking on foot patrols at areas noted to be prone to crime, saying that must have warded off the criminals.
Chief Supt Boi-Bi-Boi said the exercise would be sustained to cover the period of the Ghana 2008 soccer fiesta.
He said from January the security agencies would be on high alert to ensure that visitors and tourists to the country for the tournament would go about in the city freely.
DUSK-TO-DAWN CURFEW IN BAWKU
02/01/2008
Story: Mary Mensah
A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on Bawku, Zabzugu and Garu in the Upper East Region following communal violence and killing in the towns.
That followed a meeting between the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and some traditional leaders in the area after a reported case of armed robbery erupted into a bloody ethnic conflict between Mamprusis and Kusasis, the two dominant groups in the towns.
Police sources in Accra told the Daily Graphic that three people had been confirmed dead in the riots, but unconfirmed reports in Bawku put the number at nine.
The REGSEC officials and the traditional leaders are also holding a meeting with the regional minister and the police and military commanders to restore peace and security in the towns.
Confirming the mayhem and anarchy that also led to the burning of houses, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Acheampong, said his men and some military men in the three northern regions had been working around the clock to bring the situation under control.
The IGP said reinforcement from the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions was also on the way to Bawku to beef up the security in the town and further stabilise the situation.
He said seven persons were on admission, while 11 had so far been arrested to assist the police in their investigations.
He explained that the incident began as an armed robbery attack perpetrated by two Fulanis wielding AK47 assault rifles.
Mr Acheampong said while the Samanpid Festival was being celebrated, the two robbers attacked inmates of two households at Yarmiriga, which is at the outskirts of Bawku.
He said the two robbers, who were believed to be domiciled nearby, shot and killed two innocent civilians who recognised them.
He said the incident was reported to the police, who rushed to the scene, but by then the two robbers had escaped on a motorbike, amidst the firing of guns.
The IGP said there was misinformation in town that an ethnic conflict had erupted between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis and that led to tension in the Bawku municipality and its environs.
He said a number of houses belonging to both groups had been burnt and there was mass violence, anarchy and indiscriminate firing in the town but the police and the military moved in quickly and had been working around the clock to bring the situation under control and return it to normalcy.
Mr Acheampong said the three Regional Police Commanders from the Upper West, Upper East and the Northern regions and their military counterparts met with the Bawku Naaba, Abugrago Asigiri Azoka II, his elders and opinion leaders at the Naaba’s palace and appealed to them to talk to their subjects to bring peace to Bawku.
He said while a police reinforcement was on its way to beef up security, it was attacked by some youth who had mounted illegal roadblocks on the way and smashed the windscreen of the Tata bus that was conveying the policemen.
Mr Acheampong said there had been indiscriminate shooting at Posum, Patalemi, Sabongeri and Zabzugu and appealed to those concerned to return all weapons in their possession to the police.
Three of the deaths occurred last Monday, while the rest occurred yesterday when the shooting intensified.
At the time of filing this report, there were heavy sounds of gunshots in Bawku, which had compelled the REGSEC to bring in reinforcement of 35 military men with the aid of a military helicopter.
The violence erupted when the Kusasis, the most dominant ethnic group in Bawku, had finished celebrating their Samanpid Festival, which the Mamprusis were believed to be against.
The Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ofosu Mensah Gyeabuor, had earlier confirmed to the Daily Graphic that 14 houses had been burnt, while a house and a corn mill were reported burnt at Garu in the Garu District.
He indicated that as the violence escalated, his office ensured that more security men, both military and the police, were brought in as reinforcement.
He appealed to politicians from both sides of the conflict to be mindful of their utterances because any unguarded utterances could be detrimental to the peace in the area.
Earlier, the Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, had led a team of military cum police officials to Bawku to assess the situation.
He was accompanied by the Northern Regional Police Commander, Mr Ephraim Brakatu, the Regional Security Co-ordinator, Mr Ahmed A. Mumuni, the Sub-Officer of the Northern Regional Command of the Ghana Air Force, Lt Coleman Arvine Aryeetey, among other officials.
Meanwhile, reports gathered by the Daily Graphic revealed that the death of the three people on Monday, as reported by the paper, was as a result of an armed robbery attack.
Story: Mary Mensah
A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on Bawku, Zabzugu and Garu in the Upper East Region following communal violence and killing in the towns.
That followed a meeting between the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and some traditional leaders in the area after a reported case of armed robbery erupted into a bloody ethnic conflict between Mamprusis and Kusasis, the two dominant groups in the towns.
Police sources in Accra told the Daily Graphic that three people had been confirmed dead in the riots, but unconfirmed reports in Bawku put the number at nine.
The REGSEC officials and the traditional leaders are also holding a meeting with the regional minister and the police and military commanders to restore peace and security in the towns.
Confirming the mayhem and anarchy that also led to the burning of houses, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Acheampong, said his men and some military men in the three northern regions had been working around the clock to bring the situation under control.
The IGP said reinforcement from the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions was also on the way to Bawku to beef up the security in the town and further stabilise the situation.
He said seven persons were on admission, while 11 had so far been arrested to assist the police in their investigations.
He explained that the incident began as an armed robbery attack perpetrated by two Fulanis wielding AK47 assault rifles.
Mr Acheampong said while the Samanpid Festival was being celebrated, the two robbers attacked inmates of two households at Yarmiriga, which is at the outskirts of Bawku.
He said the two robbers, who were believed to be domiciled nearby, shot and killed two innocent civilians who recognised them.
He said the incident was reported to the police, who rushed to the scene, but by then the two robbers had escaped on a motorbike, amidst the firing of guns.
The IGP said there was misinformation in town that an ethnic conflict had erupted between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis and that led to tension in the Bawku municipality and its environs.
He said a number of houses belonging to both groups had been burnt and there was mass violence, anarchy and indiscriminate firing in the town but the police and the military moved in quickly and had been working around the clock to bring the situation under control and return it to normalcy.
Mr Acheampong said the three Regional Police Commanders from the Upper West, Upper East and the Northern regions and their military counterparts met with the Bawku Naaba, Abugrago Asigiri Azoka II, his elders and opinion leaders at the Naaba’s palace and appealed to them to talk to their subjects to bring peace to Bawku.
He said while a police reinforcement was on its way to beef up security, it was attacked by some youth who had mounted illegal roadblocks on the way and smashed the windscreen of the Tata bus that was conveying the policemen.
Mr Acheampong said there had been indiscriminate shooting at Posum, Patalemi, Sabongeri and Zabzugu and appealed to those concerned to return all weapons in their possession to the police.
Three of the deaths occurred last Monday, while the rest occurred yesterday when the shooting intensified.
At the time of filing this report, there were heavy sounds of gunshots in Bawku, which had compelled the REGSEC to bring in reinforcement of 35 military men with the aid of a military helicopter.
The violence erupted when the Kusasis, the most dominant ethnic group in Bawku, had finished celebrating their Samanpid Festival, which the Mamprusis were believed to be against.
The Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ofosu Mensah Gyeabuor, had earlier confirmed to the Daily Graphic that 14 houses had been burnt, while a house and a corn mill were reported burnt at Garu in the Garu District.
He indicated that as the violence escalated, his office ensured that more security men, both military and the police, were brought in as reinforcement.
He appealed to politicians from both sides of the conflict to be mindful of their utterances because any unguarded utterances could be detrimental to the peace in the area.
Earlier, the Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, had led a team of military cum police officials to Bawku to assess the situation.
He was accompanied by the Northern Regional Police Commander, Mr Ephraim Brakatu, the Regional Security Co-ordinator, Mr Ahmed A. Mumuni, the Sub-Officer of the Northern Regional Command of the Ghana Air Force, Lt Coleman Arvine Aryeetey, among other officials.
Meanwhile, reports gathered by the Daily Graphic revealed that the death of the three people on Monday, as reported by the paper, was as a result of an armed robbery attack.
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