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Members of the separatist group in the Volta region say they are not responsible for the attack on the State Transportation Company (STC) shipyard in Ho on Monday.
This, according to the group, is because their campaign for independence is without violence.
In a Facebook post to express its displeasure, the group accused outside forces of perpetrating violence to smear its peaceful campaign.
“We said it was time without numbers that the campaign for our citizenship rights, which is continually being questioned by some sector of the Ghanaians, will not have violence,” reads part of the post.
PRESS RELEASE. September 29, 2020 ATTACK ON THE STC YARD AT HO We, the front-line defenders of the …
Posted by Bureau of National Communications, Western Togoland on Tuesday, September 29, 2020
The clarification follows several media reports alleging that secessionists in the Volta region operating under the name Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) had launched a second attack on some state properties.
The gunmen, believed to be members of the group, stormed into the STC courtyard amid gunfire before proceeding to beat two drivers.
After several threats, one STC bus was burned to the ground, while another was partially damaged.
But by condemning the act, the group said, such violence goes against its working document.
They also called on the government to release members who have been detained since 2019.
Background
The Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) led by Komi Kudzordzi, 85, announced their separation from Ghana on their official social media on Saturday, November 16, after a group meeting was held in Ho.
This followed several activities promoting the independence of the former Western Togo, consisting of the Volta region, the Oti region, and parts of the northeast region, the north region, and the upper east region.
The region was a German colony, but at the end of the First World War, it was divided in two and the eastern side was ceded to France and is present-day Togo.
The western side was a British protectorate and voted in a plebiscite in 1956 to join Ghana, which was on the verge of gaining independence from Great Britain.
The Homeland Study Group Foundation maintains that the agreement to join Ghana included the formation of a union in 50 years.
They claim that such a union was never formed, so since 2007, the group has been advocating for separation from Ghana.
Some leaders of the group were subsequently arrested and charged with treason, while other members were released.
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