The Member of Parliament (MP) for Mpraeso, Mr Seth Achempong, has condemned and termed the actions of the Homeland Study Group Foundation as criminal.

According to him, the intentions and unlawful exploits of the secessionists suggest that the members of the group are more than mere thugs.

Speaking on Joy News’ SMS show on Monday, September 28, 2020, Mr. Acheampong said the exercises carried out by the group last Friday, September 25, 2020, can be considered treasonable and adjudged as such because they are "attempts to destabilise the state".

“Everything that I have measured from their actions since Friday is criminality. However, the level of criminality will be determined by the court,” he said.

Addressing reasons why the secessionists, who had been indicted in May 2019 for attempting to declare the Volta and Oti Regions independent and owning a militia had not been immediately convicted, he explained that substantial evidence was needed in order to present a strong case against them in court.

“Once you pick up intelligence, you need to monitor and ensure that what you picked up is true.

You can only affirm the intelligence and question the characters based on further action, just as their actions are known to all now”.

The MP further announced that salient measures are being put in place to ensure that order is restored in affected communities.

Meanwhile, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has also announced that government now knows the sources of funds for the secessionists and is working towards "dealing with them".

He said this at a press briefing on Sunday, September 27, 2020, whiles giving a public update on security issues, following the attacks.

Background

Some persons believed to be members of the Homeland Study Group Foundation reportedly raided Police Stations in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region last Friday.

They forcibly took over Ayiveme and Mepe Police Stations simultaneously, overpowered the police officers, broke into the armoury, and made away with all the weapons.