Govt won't negotiate with secessionists – Dr Bawumia

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia says government will not engage the separatist group which is seeking the independence of some parts of the Volta Region.

According to the Vice President, the group’s assertion of the Western Togoland territory was a figment of their imagination.

He said in a radio interview on Accra-based Asempa FM that, the actions of the group were criminal and must be condemned by all.

“Negotiation with criminals? On what basis? Then we will be open to many things and tomorrow you go somewhere and another group will also come and say they are the northern territories [seeking independence]. It will not happen. It doesn’t make sense,” the Vice President said.

“The Mamprusis, Gonjas, Oti people are part of Ghana. They have not expressed interest in going anywhere so where is this figment of a Western Togoland? Where is it? Is it Ho? Kpando or Kpeve? There is no legal basis for those demands. It is criminal and so Ghana must come together… Some criminals are trying to misrepresent history and engage in criminal activities,” he added.

Background

Thirty-one persons are currently in the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) after they were arrested for causing mayhem at entry points in the Volta Region and attacking security personnel on Friday, September 25, 2020.

The alleged members which include a female were arraigned before the Accra High Court on Monday on provisional charges of attending a meeting of a prohibited organisation, conspiracy, participating in a campaign of a prohibited organisation and rioting.

The accused persons are believed to be part of a group group agitating for the restoration of the Western Togoland as an independent state from Ghana