Atebubu: NDC Office Burnt Down; Two Arrested

The constituency office of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Atebubu-Amanten District in the Brong Ahafo region has been burnt down amidst refusal by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Sampson Owusu Boateng to step down.
The incident which took place Tuesday, March 29 resulted in the loss of the NDC party office and an eight bedroom apartment belonging to a close associate of the DCE. A fire service officer who was at the scene to control the fire of the burning party office suffered a gun shot in one leg as some angry youths clash outside the party office.

Divisional Police Superintendent, Joseph Dzinaku has disclosed that he was requested by the regional commander to go for the DCE’s official car after it was revealed that the president had relieved him of his position. He said he saw Mr. Boateng heading to his residence and decided to follow him.

According to him, when he got to the house, he met a crowd of angry party supporters. Superintendent Dzinaku said the supporters pelted him and his men with eggs and later chased them out of the house. “I told them if they have issues they should ask my boss”, said Dzinaku adding none of them listened to him.

Meanwhile, news of the DCE's dismissal has been met with mix reaction with some youth of the area accusing the Member of Parliament (MP), Sanja Nanja for being the brain behind attempts to have the DCE deposed.

According to them, they will resist the attempt by anyone to have the DCE vacate his official residence adding the President has not sacked him. The MP has refuted claims that he is behind the dismissal of the DCE arguing that that will be the last thing he will be thinking about. Mr. Nanja claimed the DCE ordered his men to burn the party’s office in reaction to his sack adding it was not his [MP's] men as some are alleging.

However, sources say the recent clash in the area is as a result of an on-going dispute between the Mr. Boateng and the MP. Our source said the DCE feels the MP schemed for him to be dismissed from his position. The DCE had resisted attempts to return his official car and vacate his office after news of his dismissal was communicated to him.

 He said since last night's incident, the DCE has not been seen in public and it was difficult to contact him until some few hours ago. Howevercalm has been restored since the military and police officers were dispatched to the district.