President Nana Akufo-Addo has pleaded with the overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, and the people of Wa over the recent brutal assault by some soldiers of residents of Wa.
Addressing the chief on Tuesday, 13th July 2021, President Akufo-Addo indicated that he was forced to visit the area because of the assault which described as “unfortunate”
“I have come to add my voice to that of the soldiers, as well as the Minister for Defence, to say how sorry I am about the incident, and to let you know that we will do everything possible to make sure that such an incident is not repeated,” President Akufo Addo said.
Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul has revealed that the government will be responsible for the medical bills of those who were injured by the soldiers who were captured on live videos clubbing screaming residents.
Apparently, a resident of Wa had stolen the telephone of one of the soldiers. Unable to find the missing phone, the soldiers numbering about a dozen, set upon residents they encountered and subjected them to brutal corporal punishment.
Apparently, President Akufo Addo was forced to personal appeal to the people of Wa is because he recognised that if residents get disgruntled, they could easily become conduits for terrorist organisations at the northernmost borders of Ghana where Wa is located.
There is a growing threat of terrorism along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border. According to the President, only the cooperation of the people of Wa and the security forces can stop any potential terrorist infiltration into Ghana.
“So, I want to add my voice to yours in calling upon the people to continue to work closely with the security forces to make sure that we can keep the terrorist menace out of our country. And that means that we should not dwell too much on this incident that occurred. As human beings, mistakes occur. The important thing is how you correct them and move forward,” the President said.