Ejura violence: Parties call for calm

Former President John Dramani Mahama and two political parties have called for calm in the Ejura town following the death of two persons and injuries to four others in clashes between the youth and security agencies.

They have also called for thorough investigations into the incident leading to the murder of the youth activist, Ibrahim Mohammed, also known as Macho Kaaka, and the shooting of two persons by the security agencies.

The parties are the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the Minority Caucus in Parliament.

In his statement, Mr Mahama called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to take steps to de-escalate the situation in Ejura.

“There must be a very thorough investigation of both the murder of the youth activist and the security rules of engagement, which resulted in the shooting to death of the two others,” he stated.

Minority

At a press conference addressed by the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Caucus called on the youth not to allow the Ejura violence degenerate into an alarming situation, reports Nana Kunadu Agyeman.

He also called on the President to establish a commission of enquiry within the meaning of Article 278 of the Constitution to make the recommendations of such commission more acceptable.

“The President’s instruction is for a ministerial commission of enquiry but we reject it; that is not good enough. We want a commission of enquiry within the meaning of article 278 of the 1992 Constitution,” it said.

“We want to see the President appoint a justice of the superior court or a retired Justice of the Supreme Court to lead this process because ultimately we will accept recommendations that call for reforms,” he said.

NDC

In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Mr Kakra Essamuah, the NDC called on the security agencies to be measured “in the way and manner in which they handle citizens who are exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to demonstrate to protect the lives of innocent citizens.”

It said the party’s national chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who were currently participating in a workshop at Ada were proceeding back to Accra to take charge of developments.

PPP

The PPP, for its part, condemned, in no uncertain terms, the shooting and killing of the two persons at Ejura and called for a special investigation into the matter and those responsible brought to book expeditiously.

A statement signed by its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Mr Simon Quansah, said the party was expecting the President to condemn the acts of brutalities meted out to citizens by the security forces.

It also called on Parliament to set up a committee of enquiry to look into the matter to establish the circumstances that led to such unfortunate happenings in order to avoid any possible cover ups.

“While we call for calm in the Ejura town and its surroundings, we urge the people/youth of Ghana to stand up and defend their constitutional rights to demonstrate and demand accountability from their elected officers,” it said.

The statement urged the President to visit Ejura to help restore calm and confidence among the people.