Ghana High Commission expresses concern about UK riots

The Ghana High Commission in London has expressed concern about the ongoing riots which started in London and has mutated to other major cities in England and asked the Ghanaian community to be law abiding.

In a statement received in Accra, the High Commission extended “its sympathies to any member of the Ghanaian community who would have suffered or been affected by the acts of looting and violence”.

“We also wish to entreat the Ghanaian community to continue to be law abiding, keep safe and stay out of the disturbances,” it said.

“As much as possible, parents and families should endeavour to keep their children and members of their household away from the trouble spots and urge them to report any suspicion of danger to lives or property to the police authorities.”

The statement said “the High Commission is working closely with the community leaders, journalists and the police authorities to ensure that the Mission is kept up to date on any developments”.

It said the High Commission was committed “to act expeditiously to safeguard and protect the lives and property of members of the Ghanaian community should the ongoing disturbances affect them in any way”.

“We therefore appeal to our compatriots to contact the Mission immediately should they fall victim to the riots or be in any form of imminent danger.”

The High Commission has provided the following help lines for Ghanaians affected in the violence to contact officials of the mission: 07717778955; 07717778954; 0207201 5921.

The riots started on August 4, after the family of Mark Dugan, who was shot and killed by the Metropolitan police, joined a march from Broadwater farm in North London to the Tottenham police station to demand answers from the police authorities about the death of Mark.

The peaceful march of about 120 people later turned into street violence and looting by the youth, who organised and coordinated the disturbances using social network sites like Twitter and Blackbery Messenger (BBM).

Source: GNA