Prof. Kwesi Aning, a security expert, believes that the panel tasked with conducting a public inquiry into the disturbances at Ejura in the Ashanti Region, which has yet to be formed, should include relevant bodies for a better outcome and assessment.
“This probe or enquiry that is going to be launched must not simply have government people,” he remarked on Eyewitness News CITI TV. I believe it requires a diverse stakeholder group with the expertise to address the ever-changing challenges we face.”
“I am hopeful that the scope of this investigation will be wide enough to capture the various dynamics that we are witnessing,” he said.
He also questioned the procedures and mechanisms used to dispatch military and police forces to Ejura to quiet the unrest.
Mr. Aning believes that what seems to be the use of deadly force by security forces in dealing with protestors is becoming a problem that needs to be investigated extensively.
On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Prof. Aning stated on Eyewitness News, “The Ejura issue is only symptomatic of a bigger problem with the use of police enforcement, weapons usage, command, and control.”
Two people were killed by gunshot wounds while protesting the killing of a social activist, Ibrahim Mohammed, in Ejura.
Military officers sent to the incident are seen shooting directly into the crowd in videos capturing the events. The shooting incident also resulted in the injuries of four others.
“I’m more interested in the decision-making processes and methods, as well as how threats and responses were assessed, leading to the military’s arrival and the arrival of the police. They sense an adversary and wish to exploit that opponent in order to deal with the crisis,” he explained.
The President asked the Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery, to provide a detailed report from the Inquiry within 10 days, with recommendations for appropriate action, following the circumstances that led to the unfortunate occurrences of Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in a statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.”
Today, July 1, 2021, the Minister is scheduled to release the names of the committee members.
The Minority, on the other hand, feels that the President should take full responsibility for “turning this country into a police state.”
The caucus has stated that it will accept a comprehensive investigation only if it is conducted under the auspices of a Commission of Inquiry established under Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution.
“The President’s order is for a ministerial inquiry, which we oppose. That will not suffice. We demand an investigation panel established under Article 278 of the constitution. “Like the Ayawaso West Wugoun by-election violence commission of investigation, the President must appoint a single commissioner or two or more individuals to support a commissioner,” Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu urged.
Source: CITINEWSROOM
