NDC, Volta Region chiefs ready for plan B as ultimatum for withdrawing troops expires

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    Members of Parliament and other officials in the NDC will meet with chiefs in the Volta region on their next step as an ultimatum to government to withdraw troops to the region expires.

    The meeting, scheduled for later this week “or the weekend” will deliberate on how to approach the continuous military presence in Ketu South, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says.

    The legislator says he is unable to disclose what the next line of action will be.

    This would be revealed after the meeting with the chiefs of the area, who the NDC says are equally concerned about the presence of the troops.

    The military men, locals and the NDC allege are harassing residents in the area.

    The opposition party says the troops have been deployed with the single purpose of suppressing votes in their stronghold.

    As compilation of the new voters’ register begins, the NDC says the troops are meant to intimidate residents to stay away from the ongoing exercise.

    But the government denies this strongly.

    According to the Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul and President Nana Akufo-Addo, the troops are simply to strengthen security at the border as part of Covid-19 restrictions.

    The NDC, however, remains unconvinced, their resolve strengthened by comments from Adansi Asokwa MP K.T. Hammond who says the troops were deployed to ensure foreigners do not get onto the voters’ register.

    The government, however, says Mr. Hammond’s words should be ignored because he is not a member of government and does not speak its mind.