The committee set by the government to probe the Ejura disturbances has said in its report that, the dispatching of security forces to the funeral of Mohammed Ibrahim aka Kaaka was needles.

The report added, “turning to the events that unfolded on the 28th and 29th June, 2021, the Committee received evidence from the Military, the Police, the Media (namely Multi-media and Citi News) and the Chairman of REGSEC, as well as the Ejura Traditional Council. We have examined the evidence on record and we further find that, there was no need or justification for the dispatch of a Police Riot Vehicle (water canon) to the cemetery on the morning of the 29th of June.”

The committee also noted, Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei Mensah, who doubled as the Regional Security Council Chairman failed to verify the so-called intelligence he received. The committee indicated that there was no proper intelligence sharing between security forces, the REGSEC, and its intelligence agencies.

On Saturday, June 26th social media activist, linked to the Economic Fighters, and #FixTheCountry Ibrahim Mohammed alias “Kaaka”, was mobbed into unconsciousness while returning home around 01:30 hours on his motorbike.

He was rushed to the Ejura Government Hospital but was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), where he was admitted for treatment. He died on Monday, 28th June, 2021 at 01:40 hours.

On Tuesday, 29th June, series of demonstrations occurred which saw the military patrol firing live ammunition into the crowd which resulted in the death of Abdul Nasir Yusif and Murtala Suraj Mohammed. Three other persons, Louis Ayikpa (20 years), Awal Misbau (16 years) and Nasif Nuhu (30 years) were injured.

The government later set up a three-member committee led by George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal as Chairman, Mr. Vladimir Antwi Danso (PhD.) and Ms. Juliet Adime Amoah as its members to investigate the circumstances that led to the shootings, and death of two persons in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Read the Committee recommendations below:

1. The Committee recommends adequate Compensation for the families of the two deceased persons, namely, Abdul Nasir Yusif and Murtala Suraj Mohammed. Adequate compensation must also be paid to other injured persons, namely Louis Ayikpa (20 years), Awal Misbau (16 years) and Nasif Nuhu (30 years). These are the names known to the Committee.

2. The immediate transfer of the District Police Commander of Ejura, DSP Philip Kojo Hammond, first for his incompetence in handling the situation and for the fact that, his relationship with the community seems to have been damaged beyond repair.

3. The structural expansion of the Ejura Police Station and an increase in personnel.

4. The removal of the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Mohammed Salisu Bamba, since his continuous presence as MCE would exacerbate the already tense security situation in Ejura.

5. The Military Establishment review the actions of the Section on the ground, led by Lieutenant Martin Opoku Adusei, for the inappropriate use of force, and apply appropriate sanctions.

6. The training of REGSEC, MUSEC and DISEC officials in the Ashanti Region in Conflict and Crises Management at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College at least once every year.

7. The development of a joint Standard Operative Procedure (SOP) for Military / Police operations, including roles for indispensable allied agencies like the National Investigations Bureau, NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, National Ambulance Service, etc.

8. The NCCE should intensify its Public education in relation to the rights, obligations and civic responsibilities of the people of Ejura.

9. All crowd, riot, crises control units be made to wear bodycams and all vehicles and mobile gadgets employed must also have cameras.

10. The establishment of sports and other Recreational Facilities in Ejura under the Zongo Development Fund, so as to re-channel the energies of the youth.