President Akufo-Addo Addresses Deaths At Ejura

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed sadness at the deaths of three persons which occurred at Ejura in the Ejura/Sekyedumase District in the Ashanti Region.

 

The trio died in the space of 48 hours with youth activist Ibrahim Mohammed, 45, also known as Macho Kaaka dying on June 28 from injuries he sustained in an attack a day before.

 

The killing of Mohammed sparked protests on Tuesday, June 29, in Ejura leading to clashes between some residents and security personnel which resulted in the death of two persons (Abdul Nasir Yussif and Muntala Mohammed) who were among six persons who were shot in the skirmish.

 

“The President is deeply saddened by the deaths of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias ‘Kaaka’, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed. He extends sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery,” a statement signed by the  Director of Communications Office of the President, Eugene Arhin said.

 

The statement said the President has also instructed the Minister for the Interior, Honourable Ambrose Dery to conduct an immediate Public Inquiry into the circumstances that led to the deaths on June 29.

 

A press statement signed by the Ag. Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, indicated that the President has given the Minister, ten days to provide a detailed report of the inquiry.

 

The Minister is to provide a detailed report from the Inquiry, with recommendations for appropriate action, within ten days.

 

 

“The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has instructed the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ambrose Dery, MP, to conduct, forthwith, a Public Inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate occurrences of Tuesday, 29th June 2021,” the statement said.

 

 

 

Background

On Monday, it was reported that a 40-year-old social activist, who was attacked by an angry mob at Ejura Saturday dawn, had died.

The deceased, Ibrahim Mohammed, was attacked by two assailants, who have allegedly been arrested by the Police. He was repeatedly struck on the head with objects until he lost consciousness.

This news left many Ghanaians and some youth in Ejura in shock. While others took their anger to their online platforms, the youth in the area took to the streets demanding justice for the murdered social activist.

Since the death of the 40-year-old Ibrahim Mohammed, aka Kaaka, over the weekend, the youth say they are willing to sacrifice their lives to get justice for him.

The youth stormed the police station on Tuesday morning to inquire about the extent of investigations regarding the murder of their colleague and #FixTheCountry activist, stressing that they want the Police to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to book.

Pressing home their demand for justice, the youth hit the streets but were met by Military and Police personnel.

However, things turned turbulent as the joint Police and Military team accosted the agitated youth on the streets where the two were shot in the process.

Later in the day, the Ghana Police Service released a statement saying that its Ashanti Regional Police Command had commenced investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the violent clashes between the youth and security personnel in Ejura Sekyedumase on Tuesday.

The Service said its preliminary investigation shows that following the burial of activist Ibrahim Mohammed aka Kaaka at Mempeasem cemetery at Ejura, the youth blocked the main Ejura Atebubu road impeding traffic.

“The Police moved in with Military reinforcement to quell the situation but the irate youth charged on the security officers with all manner of implements including firearms, clubs, machetes and stones.

“The security officials fired shots to disperse the angry mob who failed to retreat but rather massed up at all corners. The death and injuries were recorded in the process.”

However, Member of Parliament for Ejura Sekyeredumase, Braimah Mohammed has described as false, the claims by the police that the youth of the area attacked the security agencies during their protest to demand justice for dead activist, Kaaka Mohammed.

According to him, the Police statement is an afterthought and an attempt by the security agencies to cover up the fact that they acted unprofessionally when they opened fire on the youth leading to the death of the two and four others sustaining injuries.