Police-Military presence at Yendi was "unnecessary" - Sammy Awuku

Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Awuku, has expressed disgust at the shooting incident that occurred at Yendi in the Northern Region.

The incident which happened yesterday saw heavy military and police presence at Yendi.

Reports revealed that two persons sustained gunshot wounds after a combined force from the Military and Police Service beseiged the Abudu Royal Palace to thwart attempts by the Abudu spiritual head, Bolin-Lana, to celebrate this year's Damba festival.

The Bolin-Lana is said to have ignored warnings from the security agencies and Andanis to refrain from celebrating the festival.

The two persons were shot following confrontations from some youth who sought to prevent the military and police personnel from making entry into the palace.

Speaking on Peace FM's morning show, Sammy Awuku vehemently condemned the actions by the military and police personnel who trooped into the Abudu palace.

According to him, the presence of the security agencies were "unnecessary" and rather "heightened the tension" at Yendi.

He however called on the Abudus and the Andanis to settle their differences amicably and ensure peace in their area.

He appealed to the Chiefs of Dabon not to just pay lipservice to maintaining peace at the area but ensure that the 10-year deadlock between the Abudu and Andani Royals is dealt with.

Touching on the nationwide strike notice by the public sector doctors in the country, Sammy Awuku said government should put the necessary measures in place in order to boost the working conditions of the doctors.

He noted the doctors have since been unfairly treated and therefore called on the appropriate authorities to resolve the impasse.

Meanwhile, the doctors have asked the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to address their concerns, and threatened to embark on a nationwide strike action on Monday, February 18, if the inconsistencies in their payment scheme are not rectified.

The General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Frank Serebour, stated that though the doctors have complied with the processes involved in the Single Spine Salary Scheme, it seems the Fair wages and Salaries Commission has made no headway to improve their conditions.

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/peacefmonline.com