Western Togoland Secessionists Have Infiltrated Ghana’s Security Agencies

The Ghana Armed Forces has come to the sobering knowledge that the secessionist ‘Homeland Study Group,’ which is demanding the independence of the Volta Region, parts of the Oti Region and parts of the Upper East Region from Ghana, has kindred spirits within the security agencies of Ghana.

A statement released yesternight following a swoop by a joint Military and Police team revealed that an operative of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) was encountered in a confrontation with the Police and military personnel during the operations.

The statement names the BNI man collaborating with the secessionist as Clement Todoko, of the Hohoe divisional BNI.

“The first operation which was conducted from 0300 hours to 0535 hours on Saturday 21 December 2019 at Wli Todzi led to the arrest of two (2) persons namely Stephen Anyidoho, a construction labourer aged 30 and a native of Dzodze and Brain Todoko, an artist aged 40 and a native of Wli Todzi. The two are suspected to be close associates of one Mr Hope Mortey also known as “Spider”, who is believed to be a key member of the HSGF and suspected to be in charge of a Training Camp at Wli Todzi for Militants of the group.

“During the operation, one Mr. Clement Todoko, a BNI operative with the Hohoe BNI Division who is suspected to be an informant and spy for Mr. Hope Mortey engaged the troops in a heated argument and tried obstructing them from performing their Lawful duty. He argued that the 2 suspects were close associates or “his men” therefore the troops should release them to him but the troops professionally refused.”

For many people, the revelation is one big window into sentiments and actions that are carrying within the security agencies of Ghana. Already, the Akufo-Addo government has arrested and put before trial, a number of military officers whom it claims were collaborators in a coup plot against the government.
With this background, what is added to the picture that has already been painted by the government itself is that there is a mutinous sentiment within the Military, the Police and now, the BNI.

Meanwhile, the statement, released on behalf of the Commander of the 7 Garrison Public Relations Department of the Volta Barracks, Ho, explains that the 66 Artillery Regiment based in Ho, the Counter Terrorism Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Defence Intelligence (DI) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Accra, had conducted two “Counter Insurgency Operations” within the Hohoe Municipality to counter the activities of the secessionist group.

“The second operation took place on Sunday 22 December 2019 between the hours of 0200 hrs and 0430 hours around Gbledi Kyebi, Fodome Helu and Kwadzato all in the Hohoe Municipality. This operation also led to the arrest of 15 suspects.

“Items seized during the operation included Western Togoland Branded Shirts, Berets, Flashlights, Boots, Police Belts, Flags of Western Togoland, a Cheque Book and a list containing items needed for training.”

A total of 17 suspects were arrested; fifteen of them were reported to have been picked up on Sunday, December 22, between 2:00am and 4:30am from three communities – Gbledi Kyebi, Fodome Helu and Kwadzato – in the Hohoe Municipality. The two others having been picked up earlier on Saturday, December 21 at Wli Todzi in the same municipality.

“All those arrested and the items seized are currently in the custody of the Ghana Police Service for further investigations,” the statement said.