The families of victims of the Ejura shootings and slain activist, Ibrahim Anyass Mohammed, have submitted Right to Information requests to the presidency and Interior Minister, each for access to the report of the Committee that investigated the matter.
A press release signed by the families explained that the requests which were submitted on Monday was due to “the inordinate delay in releasing the report to the Ejura Community, the families of the victims of the Ejura shootings and for public discussion.”
The three-member committee set up by the Interior Minister on July 27, submitted its findings to the clash that resulted in two residents losing their lives with four others sustaining injuries.
But the families say, despite several assurances from government that the report will be released, no such steps have been taken.
“The Report has still not been disclosed for public debate, and no punitive actions have been taken, to the best of our knowledge, in connection with the report,” the family grieved.
Therefore, they are apprehensive about the government’s commitment to releasing the report and working towards justice for all the affected families.
The Ejura protest that took away some lives on June 29, was sparked by the murder of Kaaka, who was attacked in front of his residence on June 26.
After the social activist passed away on June 28 at the Komfo Ankoye Teaching Hospital, the peeved youth of Ejura hit the streets to demand justice and accountability. The group, however, were confronted by the military and police on Tuesday, June 29.
The encounter led to gunshots by the military to disperse the crowd; however, such initiative was unsuccessful as two residents lost their lives in the process.
Following coverage of the incident by JoyNews, members of the general public who were concerned and condemned the brute force of the military demanded a probe into the matter.
A three-member committee was set up by the Interior Ministry to probe and provide a detailed report. It comprised George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Security Expert, Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso and Juliet Amoah, Executive Director of Penplusbyte, a civil society organisation.
Several individuals such as JoyNews’ reporter Erastus Asare Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP David Agyemang Adjem assisted in the 12-days of public hearing.
During the interrogation, the mother of Louis Ayekpa, a victim of the Ejura incident who was shot in the stomach, revealed that her son, who was not part of the protesting youth, was hit in the stomach by a bullet.
Nearly two months after the Committee of Inquiry submitted its findings into the circumstances surrounding the June 28 incident, the document is yet to be publicised.
Meanwhile, Former Chief of Defense Staff, Brigadier General (Retired) Joseph Nunoo-Mensah believes that government will not take action on the recommendations of the Committee that probed the Ejura killings.
For the affected families, the release of the report “could kick start the long-delayed process needed to provide justice for our families and our community.”
