The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Officer for the Ahafo Ano Southwest Constituency, Baabi Dehyie Kwaku, has alleged that he was assaulted by individuals he describes as NDC supporters while documenting the proposed construction of a 24-hour market in the constituency.
According to him, the incident occurred on Saturday when he visited the site after noticing that the area had been graded and marked for construction.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Baabi Dehyie Kwaku said he was recording the site and questioning individuals present when a group of men allegedly attacked him.
He claimed that the men first confronted the person who was recording him, hitting his phone before turning their attention to him.
“The person who was taking a video of me was also beaten and was taken to the hospital. He is currently in critical condition,” he alleged.
Mr Baabi Dehyie Kwaku further claimed that the attackers seized his phone and deleted some of the footage he had recorded.
He said he struggled with them over the phone, after which they allegedly started hitting him.
“I was beaten by NDC thugs in the constituency while recording the NDC government’s attempt to demolish a newly built school to make way for a 24-hour market,” he alleged.
He claimed that the alleged attackers were known individuals in Mankranso who had previously been involved in disturbances associated with the NDC.
“I can easily identify them by names and faces,” he said.
Mr Baabi Dehyie Kwaku said he subsequently reported the matter to the police but alleged that the suspects were later released without their statements being taken.
“After a while, the police said an order from above had directed them to release the thugs. They didn’t even take their statements,” he claimed.
His comments follow the circulation of a video on social media in which he raised concerns about the possible demolition of a newly constructed classroom block to pave the way for the 24-hour market project.
However, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has directed the Ahafo Ano Southwest District to immediately halt construction of the 24-hour economy market project and all related activities.
In a Facebook post responding to the concerns, Dr Amoakohene clarified that there were no plans to demolish the classroom block as part of the construction of the 24-hour model market.
The directive is expected to temporarily halt work on the project while concerns surrounding the site and the school facility are addressed.
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