Nana Osei Kwadwo Ansebie II
The Ejura/Sekyedumase Municipality in the Ashanti Region is a longstanding political hotspot for violence and there should be a military base of sort in the area.
The Ejura Traditional Council is insisting that the deployment of the military to help ensure law and order when violence broke out on June 29, 2021, following the death of Ibrahim Mohammed, aka Macho Kaaka, saved the situation.
According to the Nifahene of Ejura Traditional Council, Nana Osei Kwadwo Ansebie II, the disturbances in the town could have been worse if the soldiers had not come in.
The Nifahene made the request when he was testifying before the three-member committee at the Prempeh Assembly Hall, Kumasi, that is conducting public enquiry into the mayhem at Ejura which left two people dead and four others injured.
“My Lord, we would not have been sitting here by now, looking at what the youth were bent on doing that fateful day,” the chief said.
He said that almost every activity in Ejura is highly politicised and therefore, there is always tension in the area.
Responding to a question on whether the disturbances had a political undertone, Nana Ansebie II said, “Even weddings and funerals are politicised depending on the person organising it.”
According to the chief, Ejura has been grappling with issues of violence and the military have always been relied upon to help restore law and order, insisting that “the deployment of the soldiers was good but sadly it resulted in casualties.”
“Ejura has been recording troubles and anytime there are violent situations in Ejura, the military are always called to the scene to help restore law and order. It was a good decision to rely on the military to help restore law and order in Ejura but it is unfortunate that it rather resulted in casualties,” he said.
Nana Ansebie II stated that the youth were on a mission to destroy, so the soldiers were badly needed.
“The agitated youth blocked the main Ejura-Atebubu highway, then they moved to the Central Business Area of Ejura and vandalised the police charge office and cars,” he said, adding “they also vandalised the Municipal Assembly Revenue Checkpoint.”
The chief said prior to the violent scenes, the agitated youth had also chased a police van with stones and other offensive implements.
According to him, the angry mob did not spare New Patriotic Party (NPP) branded items, saying that “the crowd destroyed NPP pavilions that are located in Ejura.”
The Nifahene said the Ejurahene, Barimma Osei Hwedie II, has been mediating to help restore peace in the area and had met with the Zongo leadership.
“The Ejurahene, personally visited the injured in the hospital, and he gave GH¢5,000 each to the severely injured and GH¢2,000 to those discharged,” he added.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi