Ashanti Regional Minister Sarpong and deputy Yammin sacked by President Mahama

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong and his deputy, Joseph Yammin have been sacked by President John Dramani Mahama.

A statement issued by the Minister for Communications Dr. Edward Omane Boamah said their appointments have been withdrawn with immediate effect.

It said the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku is to act as Ashanti Regional Minister until a substantive Minister is appointed.

The statement did not give reasons for the dismissal of the two.

There have been tensions between the Regional Miniser, Mr Sarpong and his deputy, Mr Yammin and the Ashanti regional executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for some time now.

On Tuesday it took the swift and timely intervention of armed police officers to avert a bloodshed at the newly constructed offices of the Ashanti Regional office of National Democratic Congress (NDC) when two groups within the party clashed.

The under current was the seeming mistrust, allegations and counter allegations involving some elected executives and the other government appointees including the Regional Minister and his deputy as well as some aggrieved youth groups.

The fire was ignited when on Monday, an NDC group within the party called 'Barshaka' drove away all officers and visitors and locked the party's offices with over 10 new padlocks because according to them, the elected executive have failed to reward them adequately after using them for electoral victories and had also failed to unite the party.

Later at night, armed police officers relieved the party doors of the clutches of the Barshaka padlocks.

As a show of superior clout, another group within the same party referred to as 'NDC Motor Riders Task Force Group', on Tuesday occupied the offices to fend off the threat of the Barshaka Group who has also massed up at the office to lock the offices again.

Members of all the groups are well-built men also known as machomen.

The Regional Youth Organiser, Mr Brogya Genfi is on record to have accused the Regional Minister of being the brain behind the locking up of the offices.