Demonstrators clash at Drobo

A peaceful demonstration by some youth in the Jaman South District of the Brong-Ahafo region on Tuesday, turned sour when many people got injured following a confrontation between the demonstrators and the youth from a neigbouring town.

A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Jaman South district went on a demonstration through some principal streets ofDrobo against what they described as the unlawful removal of Colonel Kwadwo Damoah, the Director of Manpower and Personnel Administration (DMPA) of the Ghana Armed Forces, from office. Colonel Damoah hails from the district.

The demonstrators who had marched from Drobo, the district capital, on reaching the fringes of Japekrom (adjoining the capital), were prevented from passing through the town by some stone throwing youth.

In the ensuing confrontation, a number of people including a journalist, Norbert Agyeman Badu, got seriously injured and were rushed to the Saint Mary's Hospital.

There had been a protracted land dispute between the two towns.

The timely intervention of the police averted more trouble.
No arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.

Despite the confrontation, the demonstrators continued their march under police guard and converged at the Jaman South District Assembly in Drobo, where they presented a petition to the District Co-ordinating Director, Moslem Mohammed Saani.

The petition read earlier by their spokesman, William Apam Adinkra, contended that Colonel Darnoah was unfairly treated and relieved of his post for allegedly abusing his office even though no adverse findings were made against them.

It alleged that the unfair treatment meted to Col. Damoah was “orchestrated by some unknown elements the Military High Command."

The petition therefore, appealed to President John Evans Atta Mills who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to intervene to ensure that justice prevailed.

The group also called for the protection of the immediate family of Col. Damoah following alleged invasion of his residence by some armed on February 20 and March 5.