Lt Gen Thomas Oppong Peprah, CDS
Two civilians have tragically lost their lives after a group of individuals launched an attack on the Tema Naval Base of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The deaths of these two individuals were confirmed in a press release issued by the Ghana Armed Forces on April 13, detailing the events that transpired leading to the civilians’ fatalities.
As per the statement signed by Director General, Public Relations, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quarshie, a vehicle belonging to the Eastern Naval Command of the Ghana Navy was assaulted by a crowd participating in a ‘Kplejoo’ festival at Tema Newtown around 7:53pm on Friday, April 12, 2024, resulting in significant damage to the vehicle.
Additionally, three Naval personnel aboard the vehicle sustained severe injuries and were promptly transported to the Tema Naval Base Medical Centre for urgent medical attention.
Amidst the confrontation, three suspects were apprehended by the naval personnel and subsequently handed over to the Tema Newtown District Police for further investigations.
The press release further revealed that, “A mob, suspected to be part of the participants in the festivities, later attacked the Tema Naval Base with stones and other implements with the aim of releasing their colleagues.”
“At a stage, the security of the Base was threatened, and in order to protect the sensitive installations in the Base, warning shots were fired to repel the attack. It was later reported by the Police that two civilians were brought to the Tema General Hospital dead,” the statement added.
“The cause of death is yet to be ascertained. Again, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, the mob attacked the Tema Naval Base and the Naval Barracks at Tema New Town (Biekro Barracks), leading to the destruction of property,” the statement read.
The GAF has assured that they are collaborating with the Ghana Police Service to launch a thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident, pledging to disclose the findings of the inquiry in due course.
“Findings of the investigations will be made available in due course. The GAF commiserates with the bereaved families and urges calm to be maintained by all parties while the incident is being investigated,” it said.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke