Tamale MCE Denies Arrest Threat With Conflicting Statement

The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) Mohammed Amin Anta has denied reports that the Security Council of the MCE would arrest chiefs for disturbances in their areas. Last week the media widely reported a meeting the MCE had with some Dagbon chiefs at which he was said to have threatened to arrest chiefs who foment trouble in their areas. The reports say Mr. Anta told the chiefs at the meeting to relinquish their titles if they cannot control their followers. He was reported to have told the chiefs that the region is engulfed in disturbances due to their negligence. He reportedly accused the traditional leaders of instigating the youth in their areas to engage in violent crimes. He was said to have referred to recent crises in which a number of houses were burnt in some communities in the region. According to the report, Mr. Anta said government has passed a law to arrest chiefs who fuel conflicts and send them to jail. Following this report, chiefs and other opinion leaders in the area expressed their displeasure at the threat and Mr. Anta came under severe criticism. In a swift reaction, the Metropolitan Security Council has denied the threat. In a press statement to deny the threat, the Metropolitan Security Council claimed the media misrepresented the facts of the meeting the MCE had with the traditional rulers, and accused the media of inaccurate reportage. But a recording of the speech of Mr. Anta at the meeting which was made available to Joy News by its Northern Regional correspondent, Shaibu Mahama clearly reveals the contradiction in the denial statement of the Metropolitan Security Council. In the recording the MCE could be heard saying that saboteurs, (referring to the chiefs), will be arrested. Please listen to the attached audio.