(IGP), George Akufo Dampare
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), George Akufo Dampare has assured the youth and people of Akatsi in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region that the feud between the Police and Akatsi Youth will be resolved at all costs.
Selorm Ameza, a dressmaker and an Akatsi based Social Media Influencer made this known in a Facebook post about a day ago.
The young man who is one of the people who broke the news of the clash between the Police and Youth of Akatsi last Sunday, March 10, 2022, said, the IGP gave that assurance in a telephone conversation with him.
He recounted “IGP George Dampare is indeed a man of his class and he promised that he would investigate the issues we raised and make sure justice is served.”
Selorm who was surprised at the call commended the IGP for having a listening ear to the grievances raised and the allegations against the police before the violent clash last Sunday.
For him, the assurance of the IGP only meant that citizens must do all in their power to provide prompt and accurate information to the Police to help get to the bottom of the issues.
Background
On Friday, April 8, 2022, a Police Riot Control Van is said to have ramped into a motorbike with three riders; Setor Agormeda, 20 years, Ademu Jemino, aged 18, a pillion rider, and Nelly Wilson Lumor, the motor rider aged 19. All students of Akatsi Senior High Technical School (AKAST).
The van is said to have been chasing the trio about an alleged theft incident. In the process, Setor got severely injured and was rushed to the Akatsi Municipal Hospital, together with the other two friends.
Setor was transferred to the Ridge Hospital in Accra on Sunday dawn (April 10, 2022) due to the severity of his condition. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Chaos
The news of the death of Setor infuriated the youth in town who massed up and approached the Akatsi Police station on Sunday morning.
The young men numbering over a hundred wielded stones, clubs, and tyres (for blocking the road). They then hurled stones and sticks at the Police.
The Police quickly repelled the attack by firing warning shots and forming a mobile barricade.
In the course of the melee, two of the youth namely, Hamza Ademu, 16 years and Yao, popularly known as Agboyibor were hit by stray bullets.
The two were rushed to the Akatsi Municipal Hospital; where Hamza was later pronounced dead. The other, Yao who is known to be mentally challenged and a popular coconut seller in the town is currently battling for his life at the Ho Teaching Hospital.
Petition
Selorm Ameza explains that the anger of the youth had been compounding since November last year when another youth, Etor, aged 21 was allegedly brutalised by the Police after he was arrested in a swoop. Etor died while in the custody of the Police.
Although the Autopsy report suggests he may have died from the consequences of drug abuse, the youth believes it is the beatings from the Police that might have killed him. Thus, the Police should take their victim as they found him.
As part of measures to end what the youth describe as “Police Brutality in Akatsi”, Selorm Ameza is leading the youth to Petition the Police Administration and Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in Accra next month.
In the meantime calm has returned to the area, however, Daily Guide sources say, there is still tension among the youth as tempers are yet to be fully doused.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)