The National Peace Council has described the actions of the Western Togoland Secessionist group as unfortunate after they blocked major roads to towns in the Volta Region claiming independence.

In a press statement, the Council stated that such actions risk putting the country into unrest while creating confusion among citizens.

“More than ever before, Ghana needs peace at a time like this when the nation is preparing for elections, fighting Covid-19 pandemic with its antecedents of economic meltdown,” the statement signed by the secretary William Kartey read.

The statement comes after the secessionists attacked the Aveyime and Mepe Police Stations in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.

The group of armed men, numbering about 50, in the early hours of Friday forcibly took over both stations simultaneously; overpowering the police officers and making away with the weapons in the armoury.

The group at Mepe after hoisting a Western Togoland flag joined their colleagues at the Aveyime Police Station, seized two police vehicles, and injured an officer. 

The leadership of the Western Togoland separatists later ordered the immediate exit of all Ghanaian security forces from the Volta Region.

One member of the group is reported to have died in a fire exchange with the joint security team which had been deployed to restore calm.

Meanwhile, 31 people were arrested and flown to the offices of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) office in Accra for questioning into happenings in the region.

The Council, in their statement, said that it is important the security agencies deals decisively with persons involved in these unconstitutional activities.

“They should also keep a watchful eye through intelligence gathering…The council further urges the security agencies to seek and arrest all involved.”

The Council also encouraged citizens to be vigilant while look out for persons who ate “deviating from the norm” and alert the security agencies.

“It is important at a time like this for all Ghanaians to unite against the criminal activities of miscreants whose desire is to create confusion.”