Lift Hamile curfew completely – Lambussie MP urges government
The Member of Parliament for Lambussie, Professor Titus K. Beyuo, has called on the government to end the curfew in Hamile, arguing that the security restrictions are now causing considerable hardship despite an apparent return to normal life in the border community.
He said the circumstances that justified the imposition of the restriction had changed, following engagements with traditional authorities, opinion leaders and other stakeholders to restore calm after the deadly explosion of November 3.
Prof. Beyuo made the appeal in an urgent statement to Parliament on Thursday, November 5, saying residents should not continue to bear the burden of restrictions that had, in his view, achieved their immediate objective.
He acknowledged that the initial curfew was necessary to prevent further disturbances and protect lives but argued that maintaining it was now placing an excessive strain on the daily activities of residents.
“Following extensive community engagements with all stakeholders, I am convinced that life has returned to normalcy. The calm we have witnessed has come to stay,” he told the House.
“The current curfew was timely at the time of imposition and has served its purpose. However, Mr Speaker, the impact on the lives of my constituents is unbearable,” he added.
MP supports affected families
The appeal follows an explosion at Hamile in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region on November 3, which claimed three lives and left several others injured.
Prof. Beyuo said he had travelled to the community the following day with some security personnel to visit the affected families and those receiving treatment.
He said he had taken responsibility for the medical expenses of the injured and pledged continued assistance to families who had lost loved ones.
“I have absorbed all their medical bills and will continue to support the bereaved families to get closure,” he said.
The MP expressed encouragement at the recovery of some of the injured persons and urged the authorities to ensure that affected families received the necessary support.
Probe explosion
Beyond the appeal for the curfew to be lifted, Prof. Beyuo wants security agencies to speed up investigations into the explosion and establish precisely what happened.
He said the inquiry should determine the circumstances that led to the blast and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence, particularly in communities along the country's borders.
“I further call on the security agencies to expedite the ongoing investigation and unravel the exact cause and related matters.
“It is my hope that the findings from this investigation will proffer long-term mechanisms to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” he said.
He also commended the Minister of the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and the security agencies for their intervention following the incident, saying their response helped contain the situation.
Curfew hours reduced
Prof. Beyuo's appeal came on the day the Ministry of the Interior announced a relaxation of the restrictions in Hamile and its surrounding communities.
The Ministry, acting on the advice of the National Security Council and through an Executive Instrument, reduced the curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., effective Thursday, November 5.
The initial restriction had been imposed on November 3 following the explosion during a Ghana Immigration Service border patrol operation.
The Immigration Service said its patrol team had intercepted a man transporting a load on a tricycle along an unapproved route. The rider reportedly attempted to escape as officers approached to inspect the load, which subsequently exploded, killing the rider and injuring two officers. One of the injured officers later died.
The Ministry has, however, maintained a total ban on the possession of firearms, ammunition and other offensive weapons in Hamile and its environs. It warned that anyone found with such items would be arrested and prosecuted.
It has also urged chiefs, opinion leaders, the youth and residents to remain calm and channel their grievances through peaceful and non-violent means.
The MP's request for a complete lifting of the curfew therefore goes beyond the government's latest decision to shorten the hours of restriction.
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