Police arrest 16 suspected criminals

About 16 people suspected to be involved in drugs and other drug related crimes have been rounded up in the Prestea Huni-Valley District of the Western Region.

The suspects were arrested during an operation in Prestea by the Prestea Huni-Valley District Police as part of operations to flush out criminals in the District.

The operation which started Thursday dawn took place in 6 areas, namely, Himan, Bola-Akyer, Anfagya, Number 4 Bungalows, Tuobodom and Prestea main town.

Confirming the arrest to a local based radio station in Bogoso, BEST FM, the Prestea Huni-

Valley District Police Commander Superintendent Ben Wonkyi said, the communities the operation took place have been seen as hideouts for  criminals.

He said arrest were made upon some investigation by the Police Intelligence team. He observed that his outfit could not have sat down to watch matters get out of hand  before undertaking the operation.

The outspoken District Commander maintained, that the exercise was part of the core functions the Police Service, to prevent crime in communities.

Superintendant Wonkyi disclosed that, about six 'ghettos', hideout, belonging to the suspected criminals have been burnt down to ashes adding that it would take a long time for the criminals to go back and rebuild the structures

The Police Commander made it clear, the operation would not be a nine day wonder but would be carried out periodically to flush out criminals.

He said, those arrested are suspected to be involved in criminal activities in the Prestea Huni- Valley District which has left many residents and commuters to leave in fear.

Considering how Indian hemp, cocaine and other illegal substances are scattered all over the Prestea Township, we found it prudent to embark on this operation to get those suspected to be involved arrested, he said.

Superintendent Wonkyi also revealed his outfit would 'descend' on those who operate computer or TV games, which to prevent children from going to school during normal school hours. He could not hide his anger at how those games exposed to children have brought truants in the District. He gave out warning that no one would be left out when the operations starts. 

Meanwhile, the 16 persons arrested are said to be screened soon. Several items were retrieved from those arrested during the swoop including some herbs suspected to be indian hemp.

Superintendant Ben Wonkyi finally issued warning to anyone habouring criminals or using an apartment to aid them execute the nefarious act to put a stop to that else if found would be made to face the full rigours of the law..

 

'Western Region needs Ashiaman' - Kwesi Biney

A Former District Chief Executive for Ahanta West Kwesi Biney, is urging people of the Western Region to take a cue from the recently held demonstration at Ashaiman in Accra and make a case for their share of the national cake.

He maintains that 'a massive uproar' against the government could open the gates for development in the region.

The statement comes weeks after residents of Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region took to the street to demonstrate against the deplorable state of road network within the Ashiaman township.

The aggrieved residents questioned why they had leaders in the community, vote and yet their concerns of the community were not being met. The demonstration which involved the burning of tires and road blocks led to the arrest of the some residents. Interestingly however, immediately after the demonstration authorities started repair works on the said roads .

The former District Chief Executive, Kwesi Biney, in an exclusive interview lamented on the bad state of roads within the Region, asking why the region continues to bask in the old adage that "the best comes from the west", but yet worse-off in terms of development. 

“Let your pregnant wife travel by road from Tarkwa to Bogoso and by the time she returns, she might have had a miscarriage," he stated.

He noted that with the onset of rain, several roads in the Region will continue to deteriorate while resources in would still continued to be hauled for export, a situation he described as an unfair.

 "Can you imagine how the road networks in the regional capital, Sekondi-Takoradi have become unmotorable, hence no comfort to drive in the city" he said.

Mr. Biney added that the number of ministers of state in the Western Region must not be just representatives in Parliament, rather there should have a clear-cut commitment for development from the central government.