Hon. James Gunu, the Volta Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has raised serious concerns about the re-emergence of Western Togoland separatist activities, claiming it is a government-sponsored agenda aimed at militarizing the Volta Region ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Speaking to InsiderGH.com on a recent press release purported to be coming from Western Togoland activists, Mr. Gunu stated that the sudden resurgence of Western Togoland activism is not a coincidence but a deliberate ploy by the ruling government to create tension in the region.
He believes this is part of a broader plan to justify a heavy military presence in the Volta Region, a key electoral stronghold for the opposition NDC.
“The recent revival of Western Togoland agitation is an orchestrated effort by the government to create instability in the region, which will allow for the deployment of security forces in the name of national security. This move is clearly aimed at intimidating voters and disrupting the electoral process in the Volta Region,” Gunu stated.
He expressed concern that this militarization is a continuation of the pattern observed during the 2020 general elections, where the deployment of military personnel in certain parts of the country, including the Volta Region, attracted widespread criticism.
According to Mr. Gunu, the government’s strategy is to repeat the same tactics to suppress voter turnout and influence the outcome of the 2024 polls.
“The people of the Volta Region are peace-loving and law-abiding. We reject any attempts to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. The NDC will not sit by while the rights of the people are trampled upon under the guise of fighting separatism,” he added.
He further called on civil society organizations, the international community, and the Electoral Commission to closely monitor the situation and ensure that the government does not use the Western Togoland issue as a pretext to undermine the democratic process.
The re-emergence of Western Togoland separatist activities has sparked renewed debates across the country, with many questioning the timing of the movement’s revival as the 2024 elections approach.
Source: InsiderGH.com
