Investor loses GH¢70,000 in Tamale conflict

The recent bloody clashes between supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), wreaked unimaginable damage to the property of one Alhaji Yakubu Ayana, a business tycoon in the Tamale Metropolis.

Alhaji Yakubu Ayana, owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dolan Ayana Company Limited, lost his GH¢70,000 investment to the conflict, as an unidentified youth group, believed to be supporters of one of the two main political parties, set his company ablaze.

About 20,000 bags of Shea-nut, and his brand new Nissan Murano with registration AYANA 1 were badly affected by the fire. Meanwhile, over 50 workers of the company are likely to be laid off, due to the damage caused.

Speaking in an interview with The Chronicle in Tamale, Alhaji Yakubu Ayana, also a renowned Hajj agent, said a similar unfortunate incident was done to him some years ago by some unknown youth of Tamale, in which he lost several properties and money.

Touching on the latest incident, he said around mid-night on the day the incident happened, he realized thick smoke entering his bedroom.

He quickly rushed to the kitchen suspecting that that it was coming from there, but did not see anything.

He later realised that his house had been set ablaze, but before he could call for help, the fire had already consumed everything.

Alhaji Ayana, who also owns a 120-acre of organic mango plantation in Tamale, expressed grave worry about the incident, and described it as a calculated attempt by a heartless group of people to bring him down.

“If they think they are destroying me, then they are wrong, because what they did will not affect only me, but other people that I have employed in this company! I haven't stepped on anybody's toes, and even if I have done that, I don't think destroying or burning my company was the way out,” Alhaji Ayana lamented.

According to him, he could not accuse or suspect any person or group of persons until the police finished their investigations.

He appealed to the youth to desist from violent acts and engage themselves in lucrative ventures.

Alhaji Ayana, also a philanthropist in Tamale, cautioned all influential persons and the leaders of the political parties, to stop using the ignorant youth for their selfish gains.

It would be called that the Tamale Metropolis recorded two separate unspeakable incidences between February 16th and 23rd this year, which led to the death a young guy and the burning of over 30 houses. About 11 persons were arrested by the joint Military-Police team in connection with the violence.