Local Government Service head office attacked by men demanding assets

The leader of the Local Government Service, Engineer Nana Ato Arthur, has told Asaase News that in the violence suspected to be work of National Democratic Congress supporters immediately after the 7 December election, a group of unidentified men descended on the service’s office in Accra to demand an inventory of assets.

The men arrived on motorbikes, parked at Efua Sutherland Park, near the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, and walked to the premises of the Local Government Service to make their demands, he said.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (11 December), Dr Arthur explained that he was away on official duty at the time but the chief director of the service alerted him to the intrusion.

He described the incident as involving roughly ten men who arrived as a group, demanded to see the head of service and ordered staff to present an account of assets. They left the premises only when it became clear that he was not in the office.

Staggered attacks

Dr Arthur told the ABS that, to ensure the safety of his staff, his office has written to the regional co-ordinating council (RCC) to seek its intervention.

“We all need to understand that we had a democratic election [on 7 December] and a president has been democratically elected. We are not in a coup d’état era,” he told the Asaase Breakfast Show.

“When I returned to the office, I was informed that several municipalities had been attacked. The security of our staff is very critical, and it is important to all of us,” he said.

Immediate reports of attacks came in from municipalities in the Greater Accra Region, including La Nkwantanang and Madina, as well as Assin and Effutu in the Central Region. However, restrictions imposed to manage work during the COVID-19 outbreak had made staff accustomed to working off site, and helped the office cope with the escalating threats, Dr Arthur said.

“We have received calls from over five municipalities, including La Nkwantanang, Madina, Effutu and Assin. So, a number of municipalities and districts have been attacked.

“Fortunately, the experience of working from home during COVID-19 means that if the situation becomes critical, staff can continue working remotely,” he said.

Party leaders must act

Dr Arthur appealed to the RCC to collaborate with the regional security council (REGSEC) to ensure the safety of officials in every area where Local Government Service offices have been invaded. He also stressed the important role political parties play in curbing post-election violence by urging their followers to refrain from violence and intimidation of public officials.

“We all need to respect the fairness of democracy. This is not a coup d’état,” Dr Arthur said. “Institutions must continue to function, and the actors within these institutions must be able to work.

“Political party leaders must also speak to their supporters. This is the only way to stop these threats and acts of vandalism.”

Dr Arthur has been the head of the Local Government Service since April 2017, when he succeeded Dr Callistus Mahama. His comments signal rising concern over post-election violence and the need for collective efforts to protect public institutions and ensure the safety of workers.

Isabella Agyakwa for Asaase News in Accra

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