‘Techiman cars not barred from Kumasi’

STORY: ATO KEELSON
The police command in Techiman has refuted the assertion to the effect that commercial vehicles in Techiman have been barred from travelling to Kumasi and parts of the Ashanti region.

Speaking on Accra-based Peace Fm, Superintendent Joseph Antwi Gyau in Techiman stated categorically that vehicles from Techiman to Kumasi have not been banned.

“I can state that Techiman cars to Kumasi have not been banned. Since last Tuesday, Techiman cars bound for Kumasi have been conveying passengers to and fro without any hindrance.

…Therefore it is not true that a ban has been slapped on Techiman cars to Kumasi. That is a total fabrication,” Superintendent Gyau affirmed.

It would be recalled that one of the sub-chiefs in Kumasi was reported to have barred Techiman from travelling to Kumasi, and warned that any commercial who flouted that directive will suffer the consequences.

The statement generated mixed reactions from the general public with many stressing that it was highly unnecessary for the said Kumasi sub-chief to have made that statement.

The police superintendent who indicated that he had not heard any statement to that effect contended that Techiman commercial cars to Kumasi were going about their normal activities and that there was no cause for any panic.

Supt. Gyau therefore seized the opportunity to caution media practitioners particularly, those in radio stations to be circumspect in the way they report on the Techiman chieftaincy dispute which has spread to the Ashanti region.

He urged journalists to talk to security agencies who were on the ground, and could thus report objectively on the matter, instead of talking to any of the factions in the dispute.

He said any of the factions would not give an objective view of the matter.

“Any of the factions would not give a true picture on the situation but would definitely be interested in tilting the scale to their favour, which will not be good for everybody,” Supt Gyau indicated.

According to Supt Gyau, there is calm and peace in Techiman and its environs and people are going about their normal activities.

“People in Techiman and its surrounding towns are going about their daily activities in an atmosphere of peace and stability,” stressed Supt Gyau.

The police superintendent gave the assurance that the police would do all they could to ensure law and order in Techiman and its adjoining villages in the wake of the ensuing chieftaincy conflict.