The Ashanti Regional Police Command has threatened to take action against media houses that published the Kumasi Girls Senior High School (SHS) incident.
According to the Command, the stories and videos that were circulated purporting to be incidents from the school were false.
It, therefore, called on the publishers to take down the articles and videos else it will subject these media houses to strict proof and failure to confirm same, the Command will pursue the necessary available action.
A statement issued by the Ashanti Police Command described as untrue that the Military was involved in bringing the situation under control.
The only Military Officers who were present at Kumasi Girls Secondary School, it said, were part of a joint patrol team who were close to the school and had gone there to verify what was happening.
Read the full text of the statement below:
PRESS RELEASE
1. The Ashanti Regional Police Command has monitored the media space and taken note of reports published by a number of media houses accusing the Police and the Military of assaulting students of Kumasi Girls SHS on the night of 19 July 2021. The reports are unfortunate, false and a fabrication.
2. It will be recalled that on the night of 19 July 2021, at around 21:00 hrs, Police received a complaint from the Headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS that the students were demonstrating and were destroying School property. The Bohyen Police District and Suame Police Division responded to the incident. At about the same time students of St Louis SHS had also started agitating and the KNUST Police District and Manhyia Police Division also responded to that incident.
3. On the spot investigation indicated that the student’s agitation was due to the refusal of the School Authorities to allow them to go on a midterm holiday.
4. It is also untrue that the Military was involved in bringing the situation under control. The only Military Officers who were present at Kumasi Girls Secondary School were part of a joint patrol team who were close to the school and had gone there to verify what was happening.
5. In both cases the Police were able to persuade the students to return to their dormitories and calm was restored 1 in both Schools thereafter. The respective Heads of the schools have been to the Police to thank us for our prompt intervention and so we find it strange for anyone to report in the contrary.
6. The Command will like to assure the general public that we are very aware and alive to our Constitutional mandate and responsibility to respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens. We shall endeavour to protect each and every person in the Region as well as their property. We remain committed to this course.
7. To those Media Houses who have published these false stories, The Command would be grateful if you go back to the Schools and ascertain the true facts. We are also aware of some false videos purported to be that of the incident and advice the publishers to take these down or else, the Command shall subject them to strict proof and failing, we shall take the necessary actions available.
8. The Command will like to assure the general public that the stories and videos are false, untruths and fabrication to bring the Police Service into disrepute and we condemn this action in no uncertain terms.
9. We also remind the general public of their civic responsibilities, and implore each and every citizen to report to the Police anything they witness, know about and have heard, that, will assist in the investigations of any case/s, to please come forward and provide such information through our hotlines 18555, 191 and 0299202240.
10. Please accept the felicitations of the Command.
Source: MyPublisher24.com