House of Chiefs protest closure of border

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs on Saturday protested against the closure of the Ghana-Togo border and called on the government to reopen the border for the compatriots to return home and vote.

A statement in Accra signed by the President, Togbe Afede XIV and the vice, Nana Soglo Alloh said; “We find the closure which is effective on Midnight on Friday, December 5, 2008 till 0600 hours Monday, December 8, very discriminatory, provocative and an attempt to deny Ghanaians, especially Voltarians who either live across the border or are on a short visit the opportunity to exercise their franchise in tomorrow's elections”.

The statement recalled government's recent announcement not to close the borders including the Ghana-Togo border during the elections and said; “We do not think that this is one of the actions that will promote the peace, unity and security of our country”.

It added that, ”as citizens and traditional leaders, we are very concerned about the potential present and future ramifications of this wrong move”. The statement wondered why government would want to deprive its citizens who live across the border or on a short visit from voting after passing the ROPAL that would enable Ghanaians living abroad to vote in their countries of residence.