Former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Emmanuel Bombande, says meting out inhumane treatment to the 60 arrested persons believed to be members of the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) only validates the group's intentions of seeking secession of the Volta Region into an autonomous 'Western Togoland'.

According to the conflict resolution and peacebuilding professional, the manner in which the incriminated individuals are treated will influence subsequent decisions and further action by the rebel group.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 3, 2020, Dr. Bombande said although the issue needs to be resolved quickly, it must be done well and with care.

“What these people are doing, is creating a time-wasting strategy that reinforces how they have nothing to offer but only to truly be factors of destabilization. And that is why it is important to reemphasis that such a perspective makes it incumbent on government not to handle people they have arrested in a manner that gives credence to the misplaced views of these opportunists” he said.

Mr. Bombande’s contribution come as an opposing response to Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s comments last Wednesday, September 30, 2020, suggesting that government is not open to negotiations with the leaders of the Homeland Study Group Foundation.

Dr. Bawumia in an interview on Asempa FM mentioned that the activities of the secessionist group are to be treated as criminal, and that government, together with security agencies, are making huge strides in that direction.

But the former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister disagrees and insists the best way to deal with the matter is for government to engage in a dialogue with the separationists.

“They should be humanely treated to exemplify that the modern democratic state of Ghana takes care of everybody with fairness and equity.

"This, when done, will oppose opportunists, as well as end their adventures, so that Ghana can go-ahead to conduct a peaceful election and transitioning of governments.

"It will also reinforce and deepen our democratic tenets and development prospects,” he said.