REPORT OF THE THREE MEMBER MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE

OF INQUIRY INTO THE UNFORTUNATE OCCURENCES AT

EJURA IN THE ASHANTI REGION

Presented to the

Minister for the Interior

Osu, Accra 27th July, 2021

Page 1 of 55
INTRODUCTION

The President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo issued a directive
to the Honourable Minister of Interior to investigate the circumstances leading to
the shootings and deaths of some persons in Ejura.

The Honourable Minister of Interior on Friday the 2nd of July 2021, set up a 3-
member committee (the “Committee”) to investigate the circumstances that led to
the disturbances, shootings, injuries and death of some persons in Ejura in the
Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

The members of the Committee are:

1. George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal – Chairman

2. Vladimir Antwi Danso (PhD.) - Member

3. Juliet Adime Amoah (Ms.) - Member

4. With Mrs. Marie-Louise Simmons as Secretary.

The Terms of Reference for the Committee were to:

1. Conduct a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate
occurrences at Ejura in the Ashanti Region, on Tuesday 29th June 2021;

2. Inquire into any matter, the committee considers incidental or reasonably

related to the cause of the events and the associated deaths and injuries;

3. Submit a detailed report with recommendations for appropriate action within

ten (10) days i.e by the 9th of July 2021.

Page 2 of 55
Upon request from the Committee, the deadline for public hearing of the
Committee was extended to Friday, 16th July, 2021.

The Committee begun its work on Monday, 5th July, 2021, by paying a courtesy
call on the Ejurahene, Barima Osei Hwedie II, to inform him and his elders of the
mandate assigned to it concerning events that occurred in Ejura. The Committee
appealed to the Chief to inform his subjects and all residents, who had relevant
information to make themselves available to help the Committee in its work.

A visit was also paid to the Chief of the Dagomba community in Ejura and a
similar appeal was made to him and his elders. At Ejura, the Committee also
visited and sympathized with the victims of the shootings as well as the families of
the deceased persons.

According to evidence gathered by the Committee, one Ibrahim Mohammed a.k.a.

“Kaaka”, was returning home on 26th June, 2021 around 01:30 hours on his
motorbike, when he was attacked by some unknown assailant(s) and beaten into
unconsciousness.

“Kaaka” was rushed to the Ejura Government Hospital and was subsequently
referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), where he was admitted
for treatment. He died on 28th June, 2021 at 01:40 hours.

This report will comprise the following:

1. Summary of evidence taken from witnesses

2. Findings

3. Recommendations

4. Conclusion

Page 3 of 55
The Committee begun its public sittings at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi
on Tuesday the 6th of July, 2021 at 10am and wound up on Friday, 16th July 2021.

The Committee took evidence from the following witnesses:

1. Hon. Simon Osei Mensah - Ashanti Regional Minister

2. Erastus Asare Donkor - Broadcast Journalist, Multimedia Group

3. Brig. Gen Joseph Aphour - General Officer Commanding the Central

Command, Ghana Armed Forces

4. Lt. Col. Kwasi Ware Peprah - Commanding Officer of the 4th Infantry
Battalion, Ghana Armed Forces

5. DCOP Agyemang Adjem - Deputy Regional Commander, Ashanti,

Ghana Police Service

6. DSP Philip Kojo Hammond - District Police Commander, Ejura

District Command, Ashanti Region

7. Edward Oppong Marfo – Bureau Chief, Citi News, Kumasi

8. Hon. Mohammed Salisu Bamba - Municipal Chief Executive, Ejura-

Sekyedumase, Municipal Assembly, Ashanti Region

9. Lt. Martin Opoku Adusei – 4th Infantry Battalion, Ghana Armed

Forces (in camera evidence)

10. Dr. Manye Mensah - Medical Superintendent, Ejura Government

Hospital

11.Col. (Rtd) Francis Dofah Arthur - Regional Security Coordinator,

National Security, Ashanti (in camera evidence)

Page 4 of 55
12.Agartha Donyina - Mother of Louis Ayikpa (victim), Resident of
Ejura

13.Aminu Mohammed - Resident of Ejura (in camera evidence)

14.Abdul Wahab Alhassan- Linguist of the Dagomba Chief, Ejura

15.Issahaku Abubakar- Brother of Abdul Nassir Yusif (deceased)

16.Sahada Hudu- Wife of “Kaaka”

17.Abeewakas Umar- Resident of Ejura

18.Salamatu Mohammed – Mother of Awal Misbau (victim)

19.Fuseini Ibrahim – Resident of Ejura /co-tenant of “Kaaka’s ” family

20.Sadia Fuseini – Resident of Ejura / co-tenant of “Kaaka’s ” family

21.Muniratu Alhassan – Resident of Ejura /co-tenant of “Kaaka’s”

family

22.Nana Osei Kwadwo Ansebie II – Nifahene /spokesperson of Ejura

Traditional Council

Page 5 of 55
SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE OF WITNESSES

1. Hon. Simon Osei Mensah

Hon. Simon Osei Mensah testified in his capacity as the Ashanti Regional
Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC). He
said that, on the morning of 27th June, 2021, he was informed that, at dawn,
between the 26th and 27th of June, a man in Ejura called “Kaaka” had been
assaulted by some unknown assailant(s). On the 28th June, 2021, in the
evening, whilst still out on an official assignment in Accra, he had
information that “Kaaka” had died and that following his death, the youth of
Ejura were planning to cause mayhem and had actually started by causing
damage to some public places including the Ejura Police Station.

Based on these pieces of information, he testified that, he called one

Lieutenant Colonel Peprah of the 4th Infantry Battalion (4BN), Kumasi, to
dispatch personnel to protect lives and properties at Ejura. According to him,
the Army went to Ejura, and restored calm on the night of the 28th June,
2021 as he had instructed. The next morning, on the 29th of June 2021, the
Army personnel left back to base.

Not long after the Army personnel had left, he received new intelligence that
the youth were planning to burn down the Police Station, other public
buildings, and the homes of some two (2) suspects, who had by then been
arrested in connection with the death of “Kaaka”.

The Minister said he called on the 4BN Commander again to send men to
Ejura. It was after this deployment that he was informed of the death of two
(2) persons and injuries to others and destruction of some properties. The
Minster testified further that, he believed, he had legal backing for his
actions and referred the Committee to the Securities and Intelligence Act
(Act 1030).

Page 6 of 55
The Minister also stated that, upon his return to Kumasi, on the 30th of June
2021, he convened a REGSEC meeting, where he was formally briefed
about the events that had unfolded.

The next day, the 1st of July, 2021, he went to Ejura to obtain firsthand
information and he visited the families of the two deceased persons and paid
for some of the medical expenses of the injured at the hospital. He named
one Abeewakas as the person who instigated the disturbances by the youth
and tendered to the Committee a video, which he said proved his assertion
and which had been sent to him by an individual whose identity he refused
to disclose to the Committee. The video was tendered and marked as
“Exhibit A”.

Answering questions from the Committee, the Minister said that Ejura had
been identified as a ‘hotspot” in terms of security, especially during general
elections. He justified why the Military was his first point of call after his
receipt of information from Ejura about the rising tensions and the state of
insecurity during the period. He stated that, he had made the right call to
bring in military intervention at the time he did, since the Ejura Police and
the reinforcement he had called for from Mamponteng, had already been
overwhelmed by the actions of the youth. He said this was not the first time
that he had called for, or overseen the use of, a joint police and military force
such as the “Operation Calm Life”, in curbing riots and disturbances since
taking office in 2017.

2. Erastus Asare Donkor

Erastus Asare Donkor informed the Committee that he is a Broadcast
Journalist and documentary maker with the Multimedia Broadcasting
Network. He said at about 8:00 am on the 29th of June 2021, he and some
three (3) other crew members were assigned to Ejura to cover a planned
protest in the wake of the death of a social media activist called “Kaaka”. He
testified that they were greeted by an angry mob, numbering about Six
Hundred (600) in the streets, who initially prevented them from filming.

Erastus further stated that, a crew member who could speak the Hausa
language, calmed the angry mob by assuring them that, the crew was there to
Page 7 of 55
cover their protest so as to obtain results for them. He stated that, he saw the
protestors in possession of offensive objects like stones, sticks, knives and
machetes. He named one Nasir Yusif as one of the protestors who protected
him and his crew against the mob from the very beginning. He continued
that, the protestors kept angrily expressing their feelings about the death of
“Kaaka” and that he and his crew were able to film along, as the protest
went on.

He said, he saw the protestors destroying a make-shift wooden structure

painted in “NPP colours”, with sticks and machetes and finally bringing
down the structure. He also saw a Police Water Cannon Vehicle approaching
alongside a Military pick-up with the inscription, “Operation COVID”. He
stated that, before this, he had not seen any Police or Military Officer
around. He noted that, four (4) armed military men in uniform stepped out of
the Military Pick-up, formed a line, and started firing into the air. A minute
later, he noticed that the angle of firing was lowered. He demonstrated the
lowered firing to be at shoulder-level. At that moment, he said, he and his
crew ran to the top of a building whilst still filming.

He also observed that the crowd was also retreating amidst the firing, which
later became intense as three (3) more military men joined in the firing. He
said he saw one person in a white “T” shirt and black trousers fall on the
ground, apparently hit by a bullet. The person was first dragged on the floor
by the protestors and was later picked up onto the shoulders of one of the
protestors while they continued running. He stated that he saw and heard the
protestors shouting that another person had been hit by a bullet. He also saw,
at that moment, a pool of blood on the street.

Around this time, the crowd split into two on both sides of the street while
the Military was caught in the middle. He said in the course of the shooting,
he saw some of the soldiers kneel down and shoot into the crowd. After the
shooting, he saw the military men retreat, board their vehicles and leave. He
said in his estimation, the shooting continued for about 20 to 30 minutes.

He named the two persons who were hit by the bullets as Murtala
Mohammed, a 26-year-old farmer and Nasir Yusif, a 25-year-old farmer. He
explained that during the incident, the Police Water Cannon Vehicle was
Page 8 of 55
leading the military men on the left side of the road, while the military men
were on the right-side firing. He also said he saw an electric transformer,
which he suspects had been hit by a bullet, hanging in mid-air leaking what
appeared to be fuel.

Not long after the military had left, he saw some Chiefs from the Ejura
Palace coming to the scene. He interviewed them, and they said that they
had been asked by the Ejurahene to find out what was happening on the
streets. One of the chiefs informed him that, they “did not invite the military
to shoot at the citizens, but to maintain peace”.
From the streets, he said the crowd moved to the Ejura Government
Hospital, where two bodies had been deposited. He and his crew followed to
the hospital, and had information from the Medical Superintendent that he
had had to treat some women who fainted after seeing the dead bodies of
their relatives. He also saw others who were injured. He added that he saw
the Medical Officer release the bodies of the two deceased persons to the
youth and families of the deceased persons after they had besieged the
hospital and forcefully demanded for the release of the bodies.

In an interview with his crew, the Medical Officer confirmed that he

released the bodies due to the pressure mounted on him by the youth. The
Medial Superintendent confirmed that he could not follow the medical
protocols, i.e. perform autopsy before releasing the bodies for fear of his life.
Erastus, presented to the Committee, video footages, which were admitted as
“Exhibit B- series” portraying the entire incident.

During questioning, Erastus emphasized that, the Police Water Cannon

flushed water only for a few seconds and that the water could not even reach
the demonstrators. He also opined that, the carrying of offensive weapons
such as swords, jackknives and sticks by the demonstrators was
unwarranted. He, however sympathized with the crowd who he felt were
only venting their anger over the killing of “Kaaka”, who they perceived as
a social activist who was helping his society.

3. Brigadier General Joseph Aphour

Page 9 of 55
Brig Gen Joseph Aphour testified as the General Officer Commanding,
Central Command, Kumasi. He explained that the 4th Infantry Battalion
(4BN) has been divided into seven (7) sectors including a Military/Police
patrol team, commonly called “Operation Calm Life”. He said this joint
team patrols the whole of Kumasi, especially in the night, to curb crime.
Two of the sectors are Mamponteng and Tafo.

On the 29th of June, 2021, he had a call from the team in Ejura and
Mampongteng that a violent situation had erupted. He also had a call from
the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), that is, the
Ashanti Regional Minister, that the situation in Ejura was getting out of
control. Since the “Operation Calm Life” team was already operating within
the Mamponteng area, which is on the Mampong road and close to Ejura, the
team was called in to help to get the situation under control. The
disturbances, he said, were as a result of a man who had been killed in Ejura.
He said he was informed that, the Police Command in Ejura had called the
Regional Command, who had also relayed the information to the Regional
Minister, who subsequently informed him to get his men to intervene.

Before then, on the 28th of June, 2021, he said the Army had been called in
and the “Operation Calm Life” team had stayed in Ejura overnight till
around 1:00 am on the 29th July, 2021 before leaving. Later that morning,
29th June, 2021, they were informed that, during the burial of the man who
had been killed, the civilians had massed up going to the cemetery and had
threatened to cause damage to the Police Station and the situation was
getting out of hand so they dispatched the team back to Ejura.

He said the military men who were dispatched were ten (10) in number and
they joined up with the Ejura Police to control the situation. He was
informed that, from the cemetery the crowd charged on the Military/Police
team. Consequently, they had to apply their rules of engagement as they had
been taught on crowd dispersal. According to him, the Military began by
giving verbal warnings to the crowd without success. They then gave
warning shots into the air to disperse them, still without success. He said
during the warning shots, the Military also realized that there was some
firing within the crowd and it was “bad to see civilians firing from the

Page 10 of 55
crowd”. At that stage, he said, the Commander had to use “minimum force
and fire to maim those people who were involved”.

He said about two persons died and were evacuated to the hospital. The
situation was, however, brought under control after this and the military men
withdrew. He added that, though he was not present at the scene, he was
monitoring events and was being briefed at every stage by his battalion
commander with incidence reports (INCREP).

When asked if he had those reports, he answered yes but said he could only
provide copies of these reports if he is cleared by his superiors to do so. He
added that “there would have been more deaths, if the Army actually wanted
to use proper force or fired indiscriminately”. He emphasized that, with
minimum force, they were able to disperse the crowd and able to bring the
situation under control. He believed that, the Chairman of REGSEC did the
right thing by inviting the military to intervene at the time he did.

Upon questioning by the Committee, he stated that all Army officers are
trained on the rules of engagement, as to what to do on the ground
depending on the situation. He said the field officer on the ground does not
need to take step by step instructions from his superiors before he acts.
However, if he has any problem, he has to call his Battalion Commander and
this is done in a very fast manner. He said that when the military is invited to
join the police, the military takes control. He stated that, one of the rules of
engagement is to use live bullets in a situation where verbal warnings,
warning shots, and other crowd dispersal procedures have failed.

When asked why the Military had not used plastic bullets or other less
harmful equipment, he made it clear that the military does not carry tear gas
or plastic bullets as part of its equipment. He agreed that after careful
thought, it would have been appropriate for the joint Police/ Military team to
have had an ambulance around in order to take care of casualties. He said
further that, the situation was such an emergency that the usual official
operational procedures could not have been followed to the letter.

He however stated that, he believes that the joint taskforce of the Police and
Military briefed each other before the operation began. He stated that, based
Page 11 of 55
on the information he received from the Chairman of REGSEC he believed
that the Police at Ejura were overwhelmed, hence his deployment of the
Military. When pressed further he agreed that the Military should only be
called in to intervene when it is critically essential to do so.

4. Lt. Col. Kwasi Ware Peprah

Lt. Col. Kwasi Ware Peprah testified as the Commanding Officer (CO) of
the 4th Infantry Battalion (4BN) responsible for military operations in the
Ashanti Region. He said on the 28th June, 2021, a Monday, he was informed
that, there was an uneasy calm and tension mounting at Ejura. He confirmed
that information with the Deputy Regional Police Commander, while he
monitored the situation. He was later informed that, the situation was getting
worse.
He said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) then suggested that they
dispatch the “Operation Calm Life” patrol team that was close to Ejura to
assist the Police to maintain calm and order. He, therefore, communicated
with the Platoon Commander in charge of the “Calm Life” team, to proceed
to Ejura. He explained that, the “Operation Calm Life” is a 24-hour patrol
team that responds to intelligence, distress calls, and information based on
what is happening on the scene. He continued that, the said team went to
Ejura and helped to maintain some peace and calm until 0100 hours on the
29th of June, 2021 when they left Ejura.

At about 0825 hours on the same day, 29th June, 2021, he heard from the
Deputy Regional Police Commander that, the situation had gone bad and
that the youth had driven the Police away from the cemetery and were
threatening to rampage. The Deputy Commander told him that, he had called
the Mampong Police to send reinforcement, adding that, there were no
Policemen in the Ejura town and therefore they needed military assistance in
Ejura.

Lt. Col Peprah testified that, based on this information, he called in the
patrol team responsible for Mamponteng to go to Ejura to assist. The
information he received indicated that, when they arrived in Ejura and
decided to move to where the protestors were, the protestors were very
hostile so the military fired a couple of warning shots. In the process, they
Page 12 of 55
were also fired at, with some weapons they believed to have been Pump
Action and locally manufactured guns. They, therefore, returned fire to
maim them, but unfortunately, two protestors died in the process. He said he
heard that, the patrol team he had sent to the town continued with patrols for
a while to make sure the situation was calm, before withdrawing to the
police station.

Upon questioning from the Committee, he clarified that, the “Operation

Calm Life” team is a joint Military and Police team which is commanded by
both the Military and the Police. He further stated that, the Military
Commander in this joint team is usually the Field Commander, whilst the
Police Commander commands from the Operations Room and directs the
team as to where to operate depending on the information received from the
public into the Operations Room.

In the Ejura situation, he confirmed that, the “Calm Life” Commander on the
field who was a military man was in control. When asked by the Committee
whether the two teams had had joint training to know how to determine roles
in the field, he explained that during his tenure as the CO, he had organized
three joint trainings for the Police/Military team and it included a month’s
operation and training together.

When asked about the firing of weapons by his team, he stated that, he
suspected that the weapons fired from the protestors might have maimed and
eventually killed the rioters themselves. He explained this by saying that, as
professionals in weapon handling, the military could tell the sound and the
direction of any weapon that is fired and, therefore, they could tell on the
day of the incident that somebody fired a gun from the crowd.

He emphasized that, the video of a military man kneeling to shoot did not
tell the whole story, stating that in crowd control management, there are
various signals used to scare protestors, and kneeling to aim is one of such
signals which the men used. He added that, the direction of the soldier who
knelt was such that no casualty came from that side and that the man did not
even fire his weapon.

Page 13 of 55
5. DCOP David Agyemang Adjem
DCOP David Agyemang Adjem testified as the Deputy Regional Police
Commander, Ashanti Region. His testimony on events of the 26th of June,
2021, involving the assault of Ibrahim Mohammed a.k.a “Kaaka”, was based
on a report and briefing, given to him by the District Commander, Ejura. He
stated that, from his information the Police in Ejura received a complaint
about an assault and when the Police accompanied the complainant to the
scene at H/No. 267 Block 4, Dagomba Line, Ejura, they found two pieces of
firewood, one of them stained with blood. The DCOP stated that, a crime
scene team was sent from the Regional Police Command, Ashanti to start
conducting investigations. He presented to the Committee the crime scene
report of the incident which was marked as “Exhibit C”.

As part of the investigations, he told the Committee that, some witnesses, in

the persons of Haruna Mohammed and Sadia Fusieni and one Suraj Amidu
all co-tenants of the deceased “Kaaka” gave witness statements to the Police
as to what they saw on the night of the 26th June, 2021. He said that
“Kaaka”, at this point had been transferred from the Ejura Hospital to
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) on the 27th June, 2021 and had
died on the 28th June, 2021.

On the same day, 28 June 2021, he said the police received intelligence of a
potential attack on the Police Station, the Municipal Assembly building and
some properties within the Ejura township. In that regard, he said the
Divisional Command in Mampong was instructed to provide one patrol team
to beef up security at Ejura while arrangements were made to send further
reinforcement from Kumasi. He stated that prior to these events, there had
been three occasions in the past year when some violence had occurred in
Ejura causing concern. These were during the compilation of the voters’
register, the election campaign period in 2020 and in the period just after the
election.

He said the team dispatched from the region were from the FPU and SWAT
units. He received information that the youth in Ejura had by this time
actually destroyed government and private properties and stolen revenue
from the Municipal Revenue Checkpoint located in the Forestry Department
in Ejura. He tendered some pictures and a video to the Committee to show
Page 14 of 55
the damage in the said crime scene report. He added that, following the said
attacks, the Police brought in reinforcement from the Regional Headquarters
in Kumasi and a team of “Operation Calm Life” personnel.

In response questions from the Committee, he stated that, there were some
suspects in police custody in relation to the death of “Kaaka”, who were
Ibrahim Issaka, alias Anyass and Fuseini Alhassan. He confirmed that a
post-mortem was conducted on the body of “Kaaka”, on the 28th of June,
2021 at KATH.

He stated that, on the 29th of June, 2021, based on a request from the family
of “Kaaka”, the police accompanied them to the cemetery to provide
protection during his burial. The police escorted the family with the Riot
Control Vehicle and this vehicle was pelted with stones by the youth of the
town. Because of that, the police retreated to the Police Station in
anticipation of further attacks.

He also said that, he had a conversation with the Commanding Officer (CO)
of 4th Infantry Battalion (4BN) in Kumasi for military support. He
confirmed that, the CO had sent a team of “Operation Calm Life” personnel
on the 28th of June, 2021 in the night and they had stayed until the morning
of 29th June, 2021. A second team of “Operation Calm Life” was then sent
to Ejura after the cemetery incident on the 29th of June, 2021.

In response to another question from the Committee, he explained that,

about fifty (50) police officers were deployed to Ejura, excluding the
“Operation Calm Life” team. The focus of the police, he said, was to prevent
destruction of properties, especially, public buildings. Therefore, most of the
police deployed were manning these facilities as well as checkpoints.

He said on that late morning of the 29th of June, 2021, the youth had
blocked a road close to the Central Mosque at Ejura, which is close to the
police station, and had set tyres on fire. This is what necessitated the police
and military teams going to the scene. At the scene, the youth, holding
weapons such as machetes and other dangerous weapons, surrounded the
security personnel. At that point, he said the Police retreated and allowed the
Military to take over.
Page 15 of 55
On the 30th of June, 2021, he said some co-tenants, Sadia Fuseini (who had
already given a statement to the Police) and her husband Fuseini
Mohammed, as well as Muniratu Alhassan (another co-tenant), gave further
statements to the police, now confirming that they saw a brother of “Kaaka”,
one Iddi Mohammed, dragging him towards a bathroom in the house where
they all lived. This led to the arrest of the said Iddi who has now, together
with the other two suspects, been remanded into prison custody by the court
as further investigations continue.

DCOP Adjem presented to the Committee two criminal investigation

dockets, one uncompleted, which were marked as “Exhibit D and E”. One of
the dockets, “Exhibit E”, was in relation to a charge of offensive breach of
peace against the murder victim “Kaaka” himself, whilst “Exhibit D” was an
uncompleted docket in relation to his murder. “Exhibit D” also contained
statements of the injured persons and their medical reports as well as
pictures of the injured at the hospital. He confirmed the death of two
persons and some other injured persons as a result of some shootings on the
29th June, 2021. The said injured persons were Louis Ayikpa aged 20 years,
Awal Misbau Mohammed aged 16 years and Nazif Nuhu aged 30 years.
“Exhibit D” also contained the police medical forms of Abdul Nasir Yusif
aged 25 years and Murtala Suraj Mohammed aged 26 years who are said to
be dead.

Upon further questioning, the DCOP admitted that, the Police did not
envisage that the situation would degenerate into such violence as it did. He
said that anytime such incidents occur and the Military were called in, there
was usually calm restored. But this time, he said the Police “miscalculated”
and he took responsibility for that. He added that, the Police assumed
wrongly that the presence of the Military would deter the youth.

He also admitted that the police did not have crowd control equipment like
tear gas, riot shields and others on them at the time of the incident at Ejura.
He stated that, bringing in the Military was in tune with their Police ethics
and standards where they had to use “gradual differentiated force” to calm a
situation or quell a riot. He, however, admitted that, the co-ordination

Page 16 of 55
between the Police and the Military on the ground that day was not perfect
because of wrong assumptions made.

6. DSP Philip Kojo Hammond

DSP Philip Kojo Hammond testified as the District Police Commander,
Ejura who had spent just ten (10) months at post before the incident. He
stated to the Committee that, he had assessed the security situation at Ejura
when he took over as tense, with a lot of highway robberies. However, he
said upon assumption of office, he had put in place measures like the
provision of temporary structures along the highway for police personnel to
be able to keep watch on the highway at all times, thus reducing crime in
and around Ejura.

He said, on 26th June, 2021, at about 4:00 am, a case of causing harm
involving one Mohammed Iddrissu, a.k.a “Kaaka”, was reported to Ejura
Police Station. The story was that “Kaaka”, was returning from town on his
motorbike and was hit on the forehead with some object by some unknown
person (s) and had become unconscious. He said the Police went to the scene
of crime and had begun investigations into the case. Unfortunately “Kaaka”
died on Monday 28th June.

According to the Commander, on that Monday, the youth attacked and

begun vandalizing the Police Station. He stated that, at the time, there was
an opinion leader in the person of Hon. Gifty Ndoma who happened to be at
the Police Station and she together with the Police and some Military
personnel present, persuaded the mob to stop the vandalization of the Police
station and they heeded to their advice.

On the 29th of June, 2021, upon request from the family of “Kaaka”, to
escort the body for burial, some policemen with the Riot Control Van were
sent to accompany the family to the cemetery. After the burial, when the
deceased’s family and the van were returning, an irate mob who had gone to
the cemetery started pelting stones at the Police Riot Control Van. He made
reference to a video of the said incident which had been presented to the
Committee already by the Regional Minister as “Exhibit A”. He said in the

Page 17 of 55
process, the driver of the vehicle had to retreat to avoid causing any harm to
the crowd.

Later in the day, they got information that, the crowd was organizing to
attack the Police Station and other vital installations. He said they also
received information that the youth had armed themselves with guns, stones,
and other offensive weapons, had blocked the road, and had started burning
tyres. The youth, he said, actually caused damage to the Municipal Fire
Commander’s vehicle and some sheds popularly called “base” for the NPP
youth in Ejura around this time.

The District Commander said it was at this point that he requested for
reinforcement and also Military backup. He said after the reinforcement
were sent, the Police strength in Ejura rose to about fifty (50) policemen. He
said as the violence grew worse, they left ten (10) Policemen and some
Military men to man the Police Station and some others to man the
Municipal Assembly, while 15 other policemen boarded the Riot Control
Vehicle. The other policemen were on board the two other pick-ups.

He admitted that he asked for Military assistance because the day before, the
youth had vandalized the Police Station, and caused damage to a 4x4 SUV
vehicle belonging to a policeman, and disconnected electricity to the Police
Station. He also stated that there was rampage at the Assembly’s Forestry
Check Point and the youth had destroyed a barrier mounted there, roofing
sheets of the building that houses the Forestry Commission, and taken away
the revenue collected for the day. Based on these incidences, he asked
initially for a police back-up, and later for military back-up.

When asked to clarify how his request was made, he stated that, the request
for back-up was made through the Divisional Police Commander at
Mampong to the Regional Commander. Upon that request, two Riot Control
Vehicles were released to him with a military team of seven (7). He
confirmed that, he was part of the security personnel, who met the protestors
at a place called Public Park Junction in Ejura.

He indicated that, the crowd began to throw stones and other offensive
weapons at the security personnel and a sound of a Pump Action gun was
Page 18 of 55
also heard. At that point, he said he signaled the Riot Control Van to start
sprinkling water on the crowd. However, the crowd was not perturbed. The
situation became more intense and he realized that, the irate mob had
become more violent, and tried to encircle the security personnel. He also
heard some of them saying that, they were going back to the Police Station
to cause more damage, so he instructed the Riot Control Van to retreat for
the Military to take over. He estimated the number of demonstrators or
rioters to be between 600 and 800.

He further stated that, he returned to the Police Station, and it was while at
the Police Station that he heard that some of the rioters had sustained injuries
and had been rushed to the Ejura Government Hospital. He also stated that,
at the time he was leaving the scene, he withdrew all his men because they
could not contain the situation. He said the police later visited the Ejura
Government Hospital and confirmed the death of two persons from gunshot
injuries. He also confirmed that no post-mortem was performed on the
bodies. He also confirmed that others, who sustained injuries were later
referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi.

He said that before he left the scene of the incident, he witnessed a stone
thrown at the military commander on the field. In addition, he said he
himself sustained an injury on his foot while leaving the scene of the
incident to the Charge Office for which reason he could not wear boots at
the time he was testifying. He further explained that, the Police back-up
team were from the Mampong Division and two teams comprising the
Formed Police Unit (FPU) which brought the water cannon and the Special
Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. Together with these three groups, as
well as the Ejura police, the police team was fifty (50) in number.

In answer to a question, the Commander stated that he did not know of any
“Operation Calm Life” team on the scene that day. He only knew that there
was a military team occupying two military pick-ups and one COVID-19
pick up. He admitted that the police team was not adequately resourced.
Only a few had arms. He emphasized that nobody told him about the
deployment of an “Operation Calm Life” team.

Page 19 of 55
When asked why “Kaaka’s” family had requested for police protection at the
cemetery as he and the DCOP had alleged in their testimonies, he said he
could not explain why they had made such a request. He stated that no
empty shell cases had been received or recovered from the scene of the
incident by the Police. He named the Military Commander on the field at the
time of the incident to be one Lieutenant Adusei. He admitted that “Kaaka”s
death was partly a trigger for the rioting and chaos that occurred on the 28th
and 29th of June, 2021.

7. Edward Oppong Marfo

Edward Oppong Marfo testified as the Bureau Chief of the Ashanti Region
for the Ashanti, Bono and Bono East Regions for Citi TV and Citi Fm. He
testified that on the 29th June, 2021, at about 6:30am, he, a camera technician
and a driver set off from Kumasi to Ejura, having received information that
on the 28th June, 2021, there had been some agitations in the town after the
death of “Kaaka”.

He stated that, his group had spoken to the District Commander at Ejura as
well as the wife of “Kaaka” on the 28th June, 2021 and had received enough
information to confirm that there was some tension in the town. He said
before getting to Ejura that morning, they were in constant touch with some
opinion leaders including an assemblyman who told them that at around 9:00
am, they had had some conversations with the Ejurahene who had received
some information that there was going to be a protest. He said he and his
crew were invited to quickly come and cover the events at the chief’s palace
but when they got to the palace, they were informed that the meeting was
over and the chief had calmed the youth down.

He indicated that, though the meeting was over, there were still some
residents around and some sub-chiefs also. He and his team, therefore,
requested to have an interview with the Ejurahene. He stated that, before
getting the chance to interview him, they interviewed the Assemblyman
about the security situation and some of the youth, including Nasir Yusif
who was later shot, also joined in that interview.
Page 20 of 55
He added that they were able to speak to the Nifahene, who was delegated to
speak to them. He stated that, the Nifahene explained what the traditional
leaders were doing to bring peace. He added that, just before they could
leave the palace, some youth reported to the Nifahene that some other
persons were trying to attack them and that the chief should intervene, else
there could be reprisal attacks. He said they were informed that the youth
were heading towards the cemetery so he and his crew joined them with
their cameras at the cemetery.

He explained that, one of the youth who came to speak to the Nifahene
indicated that he was a brother to the deceased “Kaaka”. On their way to the
cemetery, they saw the Police Water Cannon Vehicle. They followed the
said vehicle and when it stopped, he also asked his driver to stop. He said he
and his cameraman left their vehicle and decided to move closer to where
the burial was going on in order to do a live report and this was around
10:30am. He said, even though the police vehicle had moved closer to the
burial grounds, he did not see any policeman come out of the vehicle. He
however heard some of the youth at the cemetery shouting at the police to go
away because they did not need the police at the cemetery. He explained that
he saw the youth with stones, clubs and other offensive weapons trying to
drive the police away. He stated that they were speaking in both Hausa and
Twi.

At that moment, he said some of the youth were so agitated and began
rushing towards the Citi TV vehicle. He said he and his crew did not feel
safe. He then saw the police vehicle turn and begin moving away from the
area with some of the agitated youth still chasing it and throwing stones all
over the place, even as the vehicle was fast retreating.

He indicated that a few minutes later, he realized that all the crowd had left
the cemetery chasing the police vehicle. He said when he and his crew
eventually found their driver and the Citi Station car in the melee, the
vehicle window had been smashed with stones.
Back at the Ejurahene’s Palace he and his crew heard the sound of gunshots
and saw a transmitter with what appeared to be oil leaking out of it. He then

Page 21 of 55
got the information that, some people had been rushed to the hospital and so,
he and his crew followed up to the hospital.

He stated that he never saw any military personnel either at the cemetery or
at the chief’s palace. At the hospital, he said he was able to interview the
Medical Superintendent who confirmed the number of deaths and the
injured. He stated that between the time he saw the crowd chase the police
vehicle and the time he heard the gunshot was between 20 to 30 minutes. He
tendered into evidence some video footages of the events that he covered,
which was accepted and labeled as “Exhibit F series”.

Upon questioning, he confirmed that he never saw the shooting incident. He

also stated that, he and his crew rushed to Ejura that morning because he
believed that what was going to happen was news worthy. He recommended
to the Committee that, institutions in the justice delivery system in
collaboration with the NCCE, should adopt policies that would enable the
general public to be sensitized and educated about the justice delivery
system. This, he said, will prevent unnecessary agitations and demands for
justice without any knowledge about the processes and procedures about the
justice delivery system. He also expressed concern about the lack of
information flow to the media by public institutions and the difficulty the
media go through to obtain information. He stated clearly that in the Ejura
issue, his media house consulted both the Military and Police on information
about what had happened and they were driven away and confronted as if it
was a battlefield.

8. Hon. Mohammed Salisu Bamba

Hon. Mohammed Salisu Bamba testified as the Municipal Chief Executive
of the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Assembly. He testified that the
municipality has a lot of security challenges, including armed robbery,
Fulani herdsmen issues, periodic political violence and petty stealing. He
said from 1992 till date, in every political activity, be it registration of voters
or political elections, there is violence.

He stated that, on the 26th of June, 2021, he was in Ejura and had
information about the assault on “Kaaka” by some unknown person(s). He
Page 22 of 55
later got information about his transfer to Komfo Anokye and his subsequent
death on Monday, the 28th June, 2021.

In the morning of the 28th of June, 2021, he travelled out of Ejura but in the
evening of that day, he was informed that some youth had besieged the
Police Station and were causing havoc. He, therefore, called some security
heads on phone to discuss the issues and also informed the Ejurahene. He
said it was agreed that they would call for support through the Divisional
Police Command.

He stated that the Divisional Commander informed him around 11:00pm on

28th June, 2021 that some policemen had arrived from the Mampong
Division to assist the Ejura Police Command. Not long after, he was
informed that some military personnel had also arrived in Ejura. He,
however, could not tell who called in the military. He heard that the military
left on the morning of the 29th June, 2021 while he was making
arrangements for lodgings for them.

Later that morning of the 29th of June, 2021, he said he was informed that
some other Police Officers had arrived in Ejura to provide further support.
He said at around 10:00am, he was informed that the youth had attacked a
water canon vehicle that the Police had sent to the cemetery as well as other
installations in the town, including some NPP meeting sheds. He was
informed that, some two suspects had been arrested in connection with the
death of “Kaaka”, and their rooms had also been vandalized by the youth.
Further, he was told that the youth were heading towards the Police Station
and the Municipal Assembly to cause more damage.

In the afternoon of the 29th June, 2021, the MCE said he received some
updates about the situation in Ejura, pointing to the fact that, two persons
had lost their lives and others who were injured in a shooting incident
involving the Police and the Military.

When questioned by the Committee, why he had not returned to Ejura

following the updates he was receiving especially on the 29 th of June, he
stated that he could not return to Ejura on the 29th June as he had planned

Page 23 of 55
because he had been called and advised not to come back to Ejura for his
own safety.

On the issue of what caused the death of “Kaaka”, he said he saw on an

Ejura youth wing social media platform a post by one Abeewakas stating
that the death of “Kaaka”, could only occur under a wicked leadership of the
Ejura MCE. He stated that throughout the day on the 28th of June he received
a lot of calls from media houses to ask him about his knowledge of the death
of “Kaaka”. Each of these media houses seemed to be alluding to the fact
that, two persons, believed to be his bodyguards, had been arrested in
relation to the death, and that, the deceased was a #FixTheCountry activist,
whose activities were not pleasing to him the MCE. He said none of the
media houses was able to provide to him the source of their information.

He emphasized that he believes there is an inextricable link between the

death of “Kaaka” and the subsequent events which culminated in the
shooting and death of the two persons, and the two cannot be looked at in
isolation. He stated that, the youth of the town were “polarized” against him
and the police because of all the reports flying around. He presented some
Newspaper publications on the death of “Kaaka”, as “Exhibit G”. He also
submitted a video recording of an interview on Guidance TV, where one of
the youth, identified as Abeewakas, was accusing him of the death “Kaaka”.
The video was tendered as “Exhibit H”.

He told the Committee that the two suspects who had been arrested in
connection with the murder of “Kaaka”, Alhassan and Anyass, were NPP
party members who he knew. He also admitted that he socializes with the
two named suspects including “Kaaka” himself, because they are all NPP
boys. He however insisted that the two suspects, were not his bodyguards
and had never been his bodyguards at any time.

In response to a question from the Committee, he stated that he thinks it was

for the best that he stayed outside Ejura during the whole period as he had
been advised to, because his presence could have made matters worse. He
said he could not tell whether the “Operation Calm Life” operated in Ejura
during the incident, however, he was informed by the Regional Minister that
he had ordered the Military to proceed to Ejura.
Page 24 of 55
When asked how well he knew “Kaaka”. He described “Kaaka”, as a very
interesting, outspoken and jovial person. He said he never knew of his social
media activities until his demise. He stated that upon his death it was the
NPP party’s vehicle that took his body from KATH in Kumasi to Ejura. He
also clarified that, because he was out of town on the 28th June, 2021, he
could not convene a physical Municipal Security Council (MUSEC)
meeting. However, he talked on phone with many of the members to receive
briefings, take decisions and also to pass on requests.

9. Lt. Martin Opoku Adusei

Lt. Martin Opoku Adusei testified as a Platoon Commander. Speaking in
camera to the Committee, he indicated that he was at Ejura on the 29th June,
2021 as a Platoon Commander under the direction of his Commanding
Officer Lt. Col. Kwasi Ware Peprah. He said he had gone to Ejura with a
Section consisting of ten (10) soldiers or men around 0800hrs.

He said he and his men went straight to the Ejura Police Station where they
always go to on their routine patrols. He testified that, when he and his
group met the Police at the Ejura Police Station, they were briefed by the
Police Commander about a hostile crowd that had chased the Police out of
the cemetery during the burial of the late “Kaaka” Mohammed.

He added that, the crowd that he saw on the streets numbered about 900
holding cutlasses, sticks, stones and machetes and other weapons with the
intent of attacking the police station. He said that upon their assessment,
they realized that the situation was bad and so they discussed with the Police
Commander and requested to take over. They then left the Police Station to
the scene of the incident.

He said at this point the Police Riot Van was at the head of the convoy, but
he asked the driver of the Army vehicle to take over and lead the convoy
thinking that, when the crowd sees the military, they would disperse. He
stated that to his surprise however, they rather began throwing stones and
sticks directly at him and his men. He stated that at this point, he ordered his
men to get out of the vehicles and to give warning shots into the air to
Page 25 of 55
disperse the crowd. He himself joined in the discharge of these warning
shots. He indicated that while this action dispersed some section of the
crowd, the majority were still charged and did not go.

He indicated that all of a sudden, he heard a shot fired from the crowd
towards their direction. He stated that, because of their training, they
identified the direction of the fire and they fired back to maim whoever had
fired the shot. Unfortunately, after enquiring about the casualties, they were
told that two had died and four had been injured.

He said that because of the intelligence they received on arrival, they left
three of the soldiers to help the police to provide security at the Police
Station so only seven of the men he had arrived with had moved to the scene
of the incident. He could confirm that four of the seven, including himself,
fired their weapons because they were surrounded by the crowd, some
coming from behind and most of them from the front.

He also stated that because they were surrounded, he had to ask the police to
cover their back, while they faced the crowd in the front. He also said that
some policemen, who were with them, also fired their guns to give warning
shots.

When asked by the Committee if this was done simultaneously with the
military fire, he stated that, the firings were at different times. He also stated
that after the final firing, the situation was normalized, the crowd finally
dispersed and the team then patrolled the Ejura township to be sure that
things were calm.

In answer to another question from the Committee, he confirmed that, the

crowd were about 150 meters from where he and his men were at the time
they were discharging their weapons. He also told the Committee that, they
could not have used plastic bullets because the army does not use plastic
bullets.

He emphasized in his assessment, the way the youth were charged and were
hostile, the best option to disperse them was to shoot to maim. Asked
whether he and his men confirmed that they had achieved their target of
Page 26 of 55
shooting to maim, he stated that they could not confirm the casualties at the
scene because it was not safe to do that with the crowd still there.

He testified that, the actions they took were justified under the
circumstances. He said his life and that of his men were at risk and so they
had to use the method that they used because “the military is the last option
and so if the military are there and the youth are still not perturbed, then
there is nothing more to be done than to take that drastic step to disperse
them”.

When asked to explain crowd control techniques used on the day, he stated
that in crowd control, there were stages to follow; “the first is to give a
verbal warning, then you charge and cock your weapon to prove that there
are live bullets in it, then you fire your warning shots.” However, he
explained, “the situation we were in did not allow us to go through the
normal procedure”.
He said they skipped the first two steps and “this happens when the crowd is
so charged with offensive weapons and our lives are threatened”.

He indicated that with the Ejura situation, the irate youth had weapons that
could cause harm. They had already attacked the police station and caused
some damage to some properties in town and would not even budge after
warning shots. They therefore had to skip giving verbal warnings because
the situation could not allow them to.

In response to a question about the gunshots he and his men heard on the
day, he stated that the Police uses AK 47, while the Military uses M16 rifles
and as a Military officer and knowing the sound of all these weapons, he
could tell that the firing he heard from the crowd was not from any of these
weapons. He stated that they could not make out exactly who fired the
weapon from the crowd but as professionals, they could identify the
direction of the fire and their reaction was to shoot back at the same
direction. He admitted that they had no other equipment such as binoculars
that could help them to identify the leaders of the youth within the crowd.

10.Dr. Manye Mensah

Page 27 of 55
Dr. Manye Mensah testified as the Medical Superintendent of the Ejura
Government Hospital. He had worked at the Hospital for six (6) years and
was a General Medical Practitioner. He described the general security
situation of Ejura as quite threatening.

He told the Committee that on the 29th of June, 2021, at about 12:00 noon,
some persons were rushed into the emergency unit of the Hospital as having
sustained gunshot wounds during a demonstration. He stated that, he had to
abandon a scheduled surgery to attend to the shooting victims.

He further testified that, two young men were brought in; one Abdul Yusif,
25 years, was dead on arrival and another, Murtala Mohammed, who was
rushed in gasping for breath and sweating profusely. He said he noticed a
gunshot injury at the back of the left upper chest and left shoulder joints and
fractured bones on examining Abdul Yusif. With Murtala Mohammed, he
said he saw gunshot injuries in the middle and left part of his chest with the
entry point being the back of the chest. Both young men, had bled profusely,
with Murtala going into shock (collapsing) with a very fast pulse rate. He
said Murtala died within ten (10) minutes upon arrival at the Hospital.
Two other persons brought in seriously wounded were one Louis Ayikpa, 19
years old, and Awal Misbau, 16 years old. Awal was bleeding profusely
from the right thigh (the femur bone) to the knee joint. He said Awal was
referred to KATH eventually. With respect to Louis Ayikpa, he testified that
he (Louis) sustained gunshot wounds just above the waist into the abdomen,
precisely, the pelvic region. He also stated that Louis was also bleeding
profusely and had internal damages and was later referred to KATH.

Dr. Manye stated that, there were four other injured persons who were
treated and discharged. He added that, about six women, who were relatives
of the deceased and injured persons also collapsed upon hearing the news of
the death and injury of their relatives, but they were all later revived.

He confirmed that the crowd at the hospital that day was huge and because
of the nature of the deaths, he tried to keep the bodies of the deceased
persons for autopsies. However, the youth and some relatives of the
deceased persons forcefully took away the bodies after they threatened to
burn down the hospital and its staff if he fails to release the bodies. He states
Page 28 of 55
that, he called the Police but the Police could not come. He believes his
mentioning of the Police in the presence of the youth further infuriated them.
He confirmed to the Committee that the bodies had long been buried.

In response to a question he stated that, he had given all the relevant medical
reports to the police. He said, the gunshot injuries he saw did not indicate a
close-range shooting, stating that, there could have been quite a distance
between the gunmen and the victims. He further stated that he believed the
persons who shot were at a distance behind the victims. He could not
confirm whether bullets could still be in the bodies since no X-Rays or post-
mortem were conducted. He, however, confirmed that some bullets were
found in one of the surviving victims but he could not remove them before
referring the victim for specialist care at KATH.

He further told the Committee that at his hospital, he was used to treating
patients with injuries sustained through crime especially bullet injuries. He
finally suggested that the Ejura police should be well resourced and trained
to take care of such emergency situations. He emphasized that, no Policeman
was seen present at, or near the hospital, at the time the crowd trooped to the
place.

11.Col. (Rtd) Francis Dofah Arthur

Col. (Rtd) Francis Dofah Arthur testified in camera as the Regional Security
Liaison Officer of the Ashanti Region under National Security. He explained
that, his job includes gathering information and intelligence from the whole
of Ashanti and passing on same to the National Security Headquarters and to
the Regional Police Command. The job also entails coordination of the
activities of the various security institutions in the Ashanti Region. He made
it clear that there were no security liaison officers in the districts therefore,
making the gathering of intelligence or information very difficult. His
intelligence officers were some friends he had made in some of the districts.

Between the 27th and 29th June, 2021, two such persons in Ejura provided
information on the security situation there to him. He repeated the story of
the death of “Kaaka” and the attendant events that occurred. Based on the
information he received, he said he prepared an incident report to the
Page 29 of 55
National Security Operations Room and gave a copy to the Regional
Minister. He provided to the Committee a copy of this report and it was
marked as
“Exhibit J”.

His evidence introduced the story of the rumours making the rounds in
Ejura, that the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) had organized an attack
on a supposed #FixTheCountry member, which attack had led to his death.
He said upon hearing the rumours from informants, he called the Regional
Minister on phone on the 29th June, 2021 around 11:00 am as well as the
Regional Police Commander, but both phones were engaged for a long time.
He also called the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) Director who said he
had also heard the rumours and he was monitoring events in Ejura.

Col (Rtd) Arthur said he also called the GOC, Central Command who
informed him that the Regional Minister had sanctioned the deployment of
some troops to Ejura. He said he later heard of the shootings and the deaths
from his informants. He gave his opinion on the incidents that occurred:

1. He believed that the GOC gave instructions for the deployment of troops
at the right time. However, he thought the deployment of the “Operation
Calm Life” team who were then in Mampong, and who he knows are not
well equipped or oriented for such an exercise was not the best thing to
do. He stated that crowd control is very different from “Calm Life”
duties and it requires special equipment or logistics. He explained that for
crowd dispersal, what was required in the first instance, is a large banner
with clear writing in a language that the crowd can read and understand
warning them to disperse and go home. Another piece of equipment
needed was a loud speaker into which instructions in a familiar language
to warn the crowd to disperse would be shouted. Then the security
personnel would have built blocks or a “knife-rest”, to block roads and to
show the crowd the limit they could get to and prevent them from
advancing. He said he does not know if the military have all these, but
he believes if they did, they should have been used by trained crowd
control personnel in such a situation.

Page 30 of 55
2. Col(Rtd) Arthur commented on the conduct of the Police which he stated
was not professional enough in handling the riots. To start with, he said,
they were few in number, even with the reinforcement, and they lacked
the necessary equipment for riot control, for example, teargas, shields
and batons.

3. He also noted that inter-agency training for the MMDCEs, Police, the
Military, Fire, Ambulance etc was needed. He explained that such
training exercises on riot management and control would help all parties
to know what to do in the event of riots and violent protests.

4. He recommended the establishment of a properly equipped operations or

situation intelligence room where all messages from the field must go. He
said this gives a better picture as to who is to take charge and what action
to take. Such situation rooms must be activated at all the Municipal
Assemblies and the Regional Coordinating Councils. He admitted that
the District Assemblies have situational rooms already, but he was not
sure whether they have been in use over the years.

5. He also recommended crises management and internal security

operations training for MMDCEs, perhaps at the Ghana Armed Forces
Command and Staff College.

6. He stated that the situation in Ejura was gradually building again and so,
he had taken steps to inform the relevant authorities.

12. Agartha Donyina

Agartha Donyina testified that she is a resident of Ejura and a trader. She
testified as the mother of one of the victims, Louis Ayikapa, 20 years. She
was in Ejura between 26th and 29th June, 2021 but did not witness any of the
incidents that occurred on those days.

She testified that on Tuesday, the 29th June, 2021, between 8:00am and
9:00am, she saw on TV the rioting and the shooting incident that occurred in
Ejura. Since her son had told her he was stepping out into the township to
Page 31 of 55
buy some medicines around that same time, she called him to find out where
he was. She said her son did not pick his phone. Rather a friend of his picked
up the call and told her that her son had visited them at the Zongo and that
he was going to buy something. Not long after that she received a call
informing her that, her son had been killed and his body was lying at the
Zongo area.

She rushed to the Ejura Hospital and forced her way into the hospital
because there were a lot of people there. Initially she could not see her son
and the doctor in charge told her that he was in the Scan Room. After crying
and waiting for a while she was asked to go home and to come back to see
her son, who they assured her was not dead. When she finally saw her son,
he could speak and he told her that, he had left his charger with his friends
the previous day and he went for it and later he was entering a drug store by
the roadside when he felt that something had hit him in the abdomen. He
thought it was a stone and he touched his abdomen and realized he was
bleeding. He lost consciousness at that point and only woke up in the
hospital.

She said her son insisted he did not see what hit him but the doctor told her
that it was a bullet. She said the bullet was removed and her son was at the
time she was testifying at the KATH responding to treatment. According to
her, the bullet had affected his intestines and he had had a surgery. When
asked if she had seen any of the rioters on the day, she said she had seen
some angry young people on the 28th June, 2021, while returning from the
market because someone had been killed. She, however, insisted that her son
was not part of the demonstrators. He is a final year student in school who
had come home ill on the 28th June, 2021. She pleaded with the Committee
to seek justice for her son and the other victims. She explained that, she was
a single parent, taking care of three (3) children, including the injured son
and could not carry on her trading activities because she is taking care of
him.

13. Aminu Mohammed

Aminu Mohammed testified in camera as a good friend of “Kaaka” and a
resident of Ejura. He testified that he had known Kaaka since 1996 and that
Page 32 of 55
he used to live in “Kaaka’s” room for years. He gave his own year of birth as
1975.
Aminu testified that, before his death, “Kaaka”, was always complaining
about his elder brother who he allegedly hated him so much such that, he
always quarreled with him. He stated that “Kaaka” was a fashion designer
and a mobile phone repairer who also operated a game center which made
him stay out late most nights. He also said that “Kaaka”, who always returns
home very late after work, sometimes as late as 1:00 a.m, always had to look
carefully around and hide so that his brother would not see him coming
home for fear. He said “Kaaka’s” big brother is called Iddi (a.k.a Akwalan).
He explained that, the said Iddi was always accusing their mother of loving
“Kaaka” more than him and so Iddi was always looking to harm “Kaaka”.
He also said “Kaaka’s” mother had confessed on several occasions that, it
was because the elder brother was not leading a good life and that was why
she loved “Kaaka” more.

Aminu testified that he is aware that sometime in 2020, Kaaka caused the
arrest of Iddi but since he was not present at the time of the arrest, he cannot
tell exactly what offence Iddi was arrested for. However, he knows that Iddi
was kept for about three days in the Ejura Police cells in 2020. He stated that
during this time, Iddi pleaded with “Kaaka” to drop the charges so he could
be released claiming he had learnt his lesson. He, Aminu, however advised
“Kaaka” to leave Iddi in the cells for about a week to teach him a proper
lesson. However, due to pressure from their mother, and her paying
“something” to the police, Iddi was released on the third day much to his
regret. He said Iddi travelled to Nigeria soon after his release.

He told the Committee that he, Aminu, was not in Ghana at the time of the
death of “Kaaka”. He said he left Ejura on the 20th day of Ramadan, which is
sometime in May, 2021 to Burkina Faso but he called his family and friends
as he usually does and was informed that Iddi had returned to Ejura. He said
at another time he called only to be greeted by the shocking news of
“Kaaka’s” death. He said the person who told him the news also added that a
co-tenant of “Kaaka” had stated that she saw Iddi kill “Kaaka” and he
believes that story, stating that Iddi is a drug addict.

Page 33 of 55
He told the Committee that, as soon as he heard of its sittings, he decided to
travel to Ghana to testify and that, he was in fact coming straight from a
town called Gwollu in the Upper West Region that morning, just to give the
Committee his story and to confirm that it could be possible that Iddi
“Akwalan” killed “Kaaka”.

Asked what he knew of Ejura and its politics, he said the youth, both NPP
and NDC mingle together in the town but it is after this incident that some
persons and the media have taken advantage of the issues in a political way.
He said he knew that, there were a lot of bad boys in Ejura and that he
knows they don’t use guns but they rather engage in narcotics and that there
is a special narcotic substance which is made in Ejura and is stronger than
the ordinary cocaine.

He confirmed that there is chaos and violence usually during the political
season. He also said he knew one Anyass, an NPP activist, who he said is
very close to the MCE. He confirmed that he, Aminu, and “Kaaka” were
card bearing members of the NPP. He finally told the Committee that though
he is an NPP boy, he criticizes the party and before he left for Burkina Faso,
he had insulted everybody in the party at Ejura and even the President of
Ghana because of failed promises and this was nothing new. He said he was
a polling station agent of the NPP in Ejura.

14. Abdul Wahab Alhassan

Abdul Wahab Alhassan testified as a resident of Ejura and a linguist for the
Dagomba Chief of Ejura. He said “Kaaka” was not a Dagomba but he was
part of the Dagomba community in Ejura and lived in the Dagomba line. He
stated that Murtala Mohammed, one of the deceased persons, is a true
grandson of the Dagomba Chief and that Murtala had on the 29th June, 2021
driven the Dagomba Chief to “Kaaka’s” funeral.

He stated that, the Dagomba chief was one of the elders who offered prayers
for the body of “Kaaka”. He confirmed that the Chief as well as himself did
not go to the cemetery but waited at the funeral grounds. It was Murtala who
drove the Dagomba Chief back to his house after the prayers. He said it was
on their way back home after the burial that the Chief realized that there was
Page 34 of 55
chaos in town and warned Murtala not to go anywhere. However, Murtala
told the Chief that he was hungry and he wanted to buy food outside. He
stated that just about ten (10) minutes after, the Chief was informed that
Murtala had been shot and taken to the hospital.

He testified further that he, the linguist, was sent to the hospital to ascertain
the truth of the story and he confirmed with the doctor in charge of the Ejura
hospital that Murtala had indeed died. He saw the body of Murtala on the
floor covered with a cloth. He said he was informed that the injuries were at
the back of the right ribs. He also confirmed that, though, the doctor wanted
to keep the body for some further examination, the young men were
behaving so violently that, the doctor had to release the bodies. He also
stated that he saw one other dead body and several injured persons at the
hospital.

Upon questioning, the linguist stated that the Dagomba Chief had not
received any information about the impending riot until he saw the crowds
gathering after the burial. He said the Dagomba Chief quickly called his
elders to a meeting to decide on the next actions to take, but before they
could gather, the violence had erupted and the shootings had occured. He
stated that, there was calm in town as at the time he left Ejura to testify. He
further stated that he had one key message from the Dagomba Chief and the
message was that, the Chief has absolute faith and trust in the competence of
the Committee. He only wants to admonish the Committee to bring out the
truth in the matters and not to disgrace themselves, the nation and the
President.
15. Issahaku Abubakar
Issahaku Abubakar testified as a brother of victim Abdul Nasir Yusif. He
stated that he is a resident of Ejura and a driver at the G.E.S office in Ejura.
He said on the 29th June, 2019, he had gone to the bank in the morning and
later went to a place called Brigade, a suburb of Ejura, on an office errand
when he saw soldiers alight from a military vehicle in town at a junction
near Alhaji Kadiri’s house.

He said the number of soldiers were about seven (7) or eight (8). He said he
saw the soldiers jump from the vehicle and give warning shots into the skies.
He also noticed one of the military men kneeling down pointing his gun and
Page 35 of 55
shooting. He said he decided to drive off on his motorbike, but before he
could, one of the bullets run over his head and hit an ECG transformer, feet
away from him. At that stage, he said he got off his motorbike, and used the
Public Park road and went to his office. Shortly after leaving the scene, he
received a call that, his brother had been killed. He said he went to the
hospital to confirm the news and when he got there, he saw a large crowd of
people but he was able to push through the crowd because they all knew he
was the brother of the deceased. He confirmed that he saw his brother lying
dead.

He said as he was leaving the hospital he saw the Krontihene of Ejura who
told him that, the chiefs had heard all that had happened and expressed
condolences to him. Ishahaku averred that ironically, earlier in the day of the
29th of June, he was one of the young people who had been called to the
Ejurahene’s Palace and had been advised not to attack the Police or the
Military Officers and not to take the law into their own hands.

Upon questioning Ishahaku, stated that when he was leaving the house
earlier in the morning, his brother Nasir was at home. He stated that the
protests had not surprised him because in the process of burying “Kaaka”,
they saw a Police Water Cannon Vehicle at the cemetery and the youth were
angry and asking questions as to why the vehicle was there. In addition, he
said the Police sprayed water on them at the cemetery and that was why he
was not surprised that, the youth were later rioting.

Answering another question from the Committee, he said the youth started
running away, when the soldiers began to get closer. He told the Committee
that, he did not see any of the rioters throwing stones, guns or any missiles at
the soldiers. However, after a video of the rioting was shown to him, he
admitted seeing some people throwing sticks from the crowd towards the
soldiers and state that this event may have occurred after he left.
He could not confirm whether any family member of Kaaka invited the
police to accompany them to the cemetery. He told the Committee that, his
deceased brother is a farmer and a travel agent who left behind one daughter.

16. Sahada Hudu

Page 36 of 55
Sahada Hudu testified as a resident of Ejura and wife of “Kaaka”. She also
testified as a representative of “Kaaka’s” family. She informed the
Committee that, she and “Kaaka” had five (5) daughters, ages; eighteen (18),
sixteen (16), twelve (12), nine (9) and two (2). She stated that she was in
Ejura between the 26th and 29th of June, 2021.

She began her testimony by posing a question to the Committee, which was
whether it was the Police or the Committee who were investigating the death
of her husband. The Committee explained its role to her and stated that this
was different from that of the Police. The Committee explained that, the
investigations of the Police was to ascertain the culprits who killed her
husband and to prosecute them if possible, while that of the Committee was
to find out the events and the occurrences that precipitated the rioting and
what took place during the rioting so that appropriate recommendations and
actions could be made or taken. She was informed that she was at liberty not
to testify. She chose to testify.

She told the Committee that her husband was an NPP member and he
participated in every NPP event in Ejura. She said “Kaaka” was a phone
repairer and a fashion designer. She confirmed that “Kaaka” was someone
who was interested in the development of his community and took
photographs which he uploaded on his various social media handles. She
stated that because of that, some of the NPP members found fault with him
and threatened him to stop uploading such contents on social media.

She added that, about a month prior to his death, “Kaaka” went to a base at
Ejura called Badukrom, where one young man threatened “Kaaka” to stop
social media activities because he was tarnishing the image of the NPP
party. She further stated that there was a quarrel between the young man and
“Kaaka” and they were separated and “Kaaka” took his motorbike and left.
According to her, “Kaaka” informed her when he got home about this
particular fight. She advised “Kaaka” not to go to that base again. She stated
further that, “Kaaka” often told her that he was not going to stop his
activism.

She said based on all this, she believes that, it was the work that he was
doing that resulted in somebody killing him. She said, though “Kaaka” told
Page 37 of 55
her the names of the persons who had been threatening him, she has not
informed the police. When questioned when the threats started, Sahada said
her dead husband had started receiving threats during the NPP primaries and
the general election period in 2020.

She also stated that she had no knowledge that any member of the “Kaaka”
family had requested the police to accompany them to the cemetery for the
burial of “Kaaka”. Answering a further question, Sahada now stated that she
had already informed the police about the persons who were threatening
“Kaaka”. She also mentioned that, she had told the police that there was a
very good relationship between “Kaaka” and his mother and brother.

She stated that at the time of her husband’s death, she was asleep in her
bedroom and her neighbour woke her up to come out as she (the neighbour)
had heard something some noise but upon enquiry the neighbor said she did
not see anything. However, upon further question Sahada admitted seeing
her husband’s body where the neighbor had pointed.

She also said that the youth were agitated because of the killing of her
husband which they thought was unjust. She requested the Committee help
to conduct proper investigations into her husband’s death. She also insisted
that her co-tenant who said she had seen her husband’s brother killing her
husband should be called to testify as she did not believe what the woman
was saying.

17. Abeewakas Umar

Abeewakas Umar testified as a resident of Ejura. He stated that he was a
cousin of “Kaaka”. He admitted that he was at Ejura on the 29th June, 2021
and went to the cemetery with the other family members to bury “Kaaka”.

At the cemetery, he said he saw some of the youth running away from the
cemetery but because he was at the graveside, about 200 meters away from
where the youth were, he could not tell why the youth were running away.
Page 38 of 55
He stated that, after the burial, he saw the youth protesting in town. He said
there was a large crowd around 12:30 pm and at this point, he entered the
mosque to pray and after praying, because he had a headache, he lay down
to rest. He stated that because he did not want to be disturbed, he even
turned off his phone.

He stated further that it was around 4:30 p.m, when he woke up and offered
his prayers in that same mosque, that he saw some people who were
aggrieved. He said it was at this point that the Imam informed him that,
because of the protests some soldiers had come and had shot two people
dead. He further stated that, he was told this incident happened about 30
minutes after they had returned from the burial.

He testified that after the Maghreb prayers, he went to the hospital to see
those who were injured. He was informed that one has been transferred to
the Duayaw-Nkwanta Hospital. He then went home and does not know of
any other things that happened.

When questioned about his role in the protests, he denied being one of the
protestors but stated that, he knew the reason for the protest to be the
demand for justice for the death of “Kaaka”. He explained that he only went
to the hospital because some of the injured were his neighbours. He also
stated that as a member of the family of “Kaaka”, he had no information that
the family had requested for police protection at the cemetery as the Police
claimed. He said he was an electrician, and Owner and Manager of an
Orphanage which has about 250 orphans.

He explained that although party politics had destroyed Ejura, the town was
peaceful before the death of “Kaaka”.
At this point, a video of the rioting was shown to Abeewakas, in which he
could be clearly seen in the midst of the crowd granting an interview to the
Multimedia journalist in an angered mood. He admitted that, it was him in
the video but that this was just shortly before he went to the mosque and
later to take a rest and so he had not taken part in the riot.

The Committee played some more of the video to him to prove to him that in
spite of his denial, he was present when the military arrived. He admitted
Page 39 of 55
that fact and said he withdrew to the mosque as stated as soon as he saw the
Military arrive.

He then introduced into his testimony the fact that “Kaaka” during his
lifetime had mentioned that some persons were threatening him because of
some videos he was making. He also said he gave this information to the
journalists who were interviewing him and he then presented the videos to
the Committee. His videos were, therefore, played and in brief, he explained
the contents to the Committee. He said it was an interview he granted on
Guidance TV in which he narrated the threats that “Kaaka” had received
from some persons on several occasions.

He also presented to the Committee an audio recording of “Kaaka” allegedly

speaking about the said threats on his life. Again, he stated that “Kaaka”
during his lifetime mentioned in a video that, it was the MCE of Ejura who
had directed his thugs to warn him, regarding his posts on Facebook. The
warning, he said was to the effect that, if he “Kaaka” did not stop what he
was doing, then whatever happens to him would have been of his own doing.
He presented to the Committee five (5) videos and one audio recording
which were marked as “K-series”

18. Salamatu Mohammed

Salamatu Mohammed testified as a resident of Ejura and the mother of
victim Mohammed Awal Misbau, a 16-year-old whose leg had been
amputated. She narrated that after “Kaaka” was buried, some young men
returned from the cemetery agitated as to the cause of his death. After the
burial, she said her son came to her that he was hungry and wanted to go
outside to buy food. She stated that her son took money and went to buy the
food and after about 10 minutes, she received a call that her son had been
hit. She rushed to the hospital where she was informed that his situation was
critical but he had regained consciousness and had asked for her. She saw
her son injured with his leg tied up.

She said her son told her that, while he was going to buy food, he saw
Military men arriving in town and people running away. She says her son

Page 40 of 55
suddenly realized he had fallen down and he only regained consciousness at
the hospital.

Her son was referred to Duayaw Nkwanta Hospital and because of the extent
of his injuries, he was transferred to KATH where his leg was amputated.
She said her son was currently on admission at KATH and that he is an
apprentice mechanic. She pleaded that owing to the uncertainties regarding
his future health, the Government should make provisions to take care of her
son’s future.

19. Fuseini Ibrahim

Fuseini Ibrahim testified as a resident of Ejura and as a husband of Sadia
Fuseini. He stated that he is a farmer and that he was not in Ejura on the 26th
June, 2021, the night “Kaaka” was assaulted, but had been in Tamale for
three (3) weeks.

He stated that he returned to Ejura on 28th June, 2021. He narrated that while
in Tamale his wife had called him and asked him to return home urgently.
He said when he finally arrived on the 28th of June, his wife told him about
how she saw one Iddi, a brother of “Kaaka” pull his seriously injured and
helpless body into a dark part of their bathroom. He said he discussed the
issue with his uncle who advised him to wait a while until “Kaaka” had been
buried to report to the police.

He said on the 29th June, 2021, after the burial of “Kaaka”, he, his wife and
uncle went to the Ejura Police Station and lodged a complaint about the
incident. The Police promised to arrest Iddi and he was eventually arrested
and some of the youth were angry with him and his wife and said they had
lied against Baba Iddi. He, therefore, had to take his wife and child into
hiding because of threats from the youth. He also mentioned another co-
tenant, a woman, who was also said to have met Baba Iddi running from the
scene on the night of “Kaaka’s” assault. He explained that, this second
woman is also in hiding. He said he personally knew Baba Iddi and the
entire “Kaaka” family. He stated that he and his wife were co-tenants to the
“Kaaka” family and they had been living in the same house for about 19
years. He explained that the “Kaaka” family in that house comprised of his
Page 41 of 55
mother, his brother Iddi, another brother whose name he did not give, as
well as “Kaaka” and his wife and their children.

He said there was no bad blood between himself and the “Kaaka” family. He
gave the name of his uncle who accompanied him to the police station as
Mohammed Mohammed. He testified that he believed that “Kaaka’s” death
was the cause of the agitations in the town on the 28th and 29th. Answering a
question, he testified that he has been married to his wife for eighteen years
and knew her to be a very quiet person who does not seek unnecessary
attention.

20. Sadia Fuseini

Sadia Fuseini testified as a resident of Ejura, a farmer and the wife of
Fuseini Ibrahim. She said they are both co-tenants with the “Kaaka” family.
She confirmed that she was in Ejura on the 26th June, 2021 when Kaaka was
harmed.

She narrated that on the night of 26th June, 2021, she was in her room
performing ablution when she heard the sound of “Kaaka’s” motorbike
entering the house. Suddenly, she heard a loud thump and she thought it was
the sound of the motorbike falling down. She said that, she therefore,
stopped what she was doing to listen.

Not long after, she heard the sound of groaning and she went out to see what
was happening. She said it was at this point that she saw “Kaaka’s” brother,
Iddi, holding “Kaaka’s” hands and dragging him towards the common
bathroom. She explained that initially, there was light and she could see
everything, but suddenly the light went off just as she started to frantically
call out and knock at Sahada’s (“Kaaka’s” wife) door. When she stopped
knocking the door, she turned to see Iddi leaving the scene.

Meanwhile, another co-tenant, who is also her friend had come out because
of the commotion and stated that, she had bumped into Iddi as he went out.
She believes that, the co-tenant must have heard her and came out as she was
shouting and calling for Sahada. She explained further that, because Iddi was
a brother to “Kaaka”, she was afraid to mention that to any of the relatives
Page 42 of 55
and was just praying that “Kaaka” would recover and tell his own story but
unfortunately, he died.

She further explained that, when she called Sahada, she woke up as well as
“Kaaka’s” mother and another brother. She said a teacher in the house and
his wife also came out and that Sahada even brought a torchlight which they
flashed towards the bathroom where Sahada saw her husband lying on the
floor. She said that they put “Kaaka” on the motorbike of the teacher and
rushed him to the hospital.

She also confirmed her husband’s story that, there was no bad blood
between them and the “Kaaka” family prior to the incident. However, after
this issue, she said, there has been bad blood between them and the “Kaaka”
family.
She further stated that, she and her husband had lived in the same house as
the “Kaaka” family for about 18 years. She finally explained that she had
been afraid to tell the story initially because her husband was not in town
and as a woman, she was afraid to tell the truth to avoid Baba Iddi turning
his anger on her.

21. Muniratu Alhassan

Muniratu Alhassan testified as a resident of Ejura, a co-tenant of Ibrahim
and Sadia Fuseini as well as the “Kaaka” family. She said she was in Ejura
on the 26th of June, 2021, when “Kaaka” was injured. She narrated that on
that Friday night, she heard the sound of “Kaaka’s” motorbike coming
towards the house. She stated that the door to her room is outward facing.

After the motorbike arrived, she heard an unusual sound. She came to her
porch to see what was happening. Then she heard Sadia calling Sahada and
banging on her door and asking her to come out. As she was making her way
to the scene she bumped into Baba Iddi, who was leaving the house. She
then shouted that somebody had caused injury and that person is running out
so people should come and see him. She stated that whilst she was shouting,
she heard Sadia asking Sahada to bring a torchlight which she did and they
all saw “Kaaka” lying there.

Page 43 of 55
She said there is a teacher in the house who used his motorbike to convey
“Kaaka” to the hospital. Before the incident, she said she had no trouble or
issue with the “Kaaka” family. She also stated that she had lived in the same
house with the “Kaaka” family for twenty (20) years. She confirmed that she
saw “Kaaka” injured and lying down on the floor. She confirmed that she
had given a statement to the police about the incident. She explained that she
lived in the house with her husband and further explained there was now bad
blood between her and the “Kaaka” family, after she lodged a complaint to
the police.

22.Nana Osei Kwadwo Ansebie II

Nana Osei Kwadwo Ansebie II testified as the Nifahene of the Ejura Sub
Traditional Area and a resident of Ejura. He stated that the general security
in the town before the incident was generally calm.

He stated that, the Traditional Council did not receive any information about
the impending riots by the youth. He indicated that in the evening of 26 th
June, 2021, a group of young men rushed to the Palace of the Ejurahene and
complained to him about the slow manner that the police were handling the
investigations into the death of “Kaaka”. The youth also told the Ejurahene
that as at the time they were making the complaint, the police had failed to
visit the crime scene. The youth stated that, they doubted the police could
handle the investigations properly. They had, therefore, come to see the
Ejurahene to ask for his intervention.

The Ejurahene then called the Municipal Police Commander on phone, but
could not reach him. He tried to calm the youth down and promised them
that, he would personally follow up on the issue and he believed that the
police would definitely do the right thing.

He indicated that in the afternoon of Monday, 28 th June, 2021, news began

filtering in that “Kaaka”, had died at KATH, Kumasi. The youth in the
Zongo community were seen gathering in the evening and set up a roadblock
near the Central Mosque on the Ejura-Atebubu highway. A group then
moved aggressively through the Central Business area of the town towards
the police station. They vandalized the charge office and some vehicles
Page 44 of 55
parked at the Police Station. They continued and attacked the Municipal
Assembly checkpoint, not too far from the Police Station. He further
indicated that after that, the mob dispersed.

He stated that, when the situation calmed down, Nana Ejurahene sent an
urgent message to the Zongo youth for a meeting at the Palace. At about
8:00 am on 29th June, 2021, some youth reported at the Palace and the
Ejurahene expressed to them his disappointment and displeasure about the
previous day’s demonstrations and rioting. He urged them to allow the
security agencies to handle the situation and not to take the law into their
own hands. He also admonished them to go and give their colleague a
befitting burial.

The Nifahene further stated that, a few hours after they had left the Palace,
they received information to the effect that, a Police Water Canon Van had
been chased away from the cemetery by the irate mob. He indicated that
from the cemetery, the crowd destroyed a structure painted in NPP colours.
He also stated that, before the youth could move to the center of the town,
they encountered the joint Police and Military team and in the ensuing
chaos, some of the protestors sustained gunshot wounds. Two died and three
were seriously wounded.

He stated further that, later in the evening, the Commanders of the Police
and Military forces called at the Palace at the request of Nananom. The
Zongo chiefs, the Ejura Chief Imam and representative of the Zongo youth
were also present. He informed the Committee that, the youth leadership
present, requested for time to give information on a local radio station, to
advise their friends and brothers of the presence of a reinforcement team and
for them to cooperate with security agencies and to avoid any further
confrontation. The security heads also explained that their presence was to
prevent crime and not to cause it. He said, fortunately, there were no further
clashes.

He further stated that, the Ejurahene donated amounts of GHS 5,000 to each
of the two families whose wards had been referred to KATH for further
treatment and GHS 2,000 each to those who had been discharged and gone
home.
Page 45 of 55
He finally submitted to the Committee a written statement, analyzing the
causes of the incident and some recommendations from Nananom.

Upon questioning, he presented to the Committee, two empty shells which

he confirmed were handed over to one of the chiefs, (the Krontihene) by the
youth on the day of the shooting. They were marked and tendered as
“Exhibit L” and “L1”. He told the Committee that, the Traditional Council
had a very good relationship with the MCE as well as all the security heads
of the town.

He explained that notwithstanding the provocative nature of sending a Police

Water Canon Vehicle to the cemetery, knowing the youth of Ejura, they
could still have rioted. This, he explained, was because Ejura over the years
had experienced lots of violence, especially during the political seasons
where the military always had to intervene to cool things down.

In expressing his views on the timing of the military intervention, he stated

that, the violence degenerated at a very fast rate and the situation was fluid
and so it was difficult for the police to wait and go through their normal
procedures before inviting the military. He also supported the fact that the
police sent a water cannon vehicle to the cemetery because of the events that
had occurred on the 28th June, 2021 before the burial. He however admitted
that the presence of that vehicle could have been an act of provocation to
some extent. He again stated that, the youth would still have done what they
did because the Ejurahene had called and spoken to them twice before the
incident on the 29th June, 2021 but they still failed to listen.

In answer to a question whether the military were needed in civilian riot

control, he said the military was always on standby as a tool available to
government to act as the President directed in keeping internal security. He
also confirmed that the police at Ejura lacked the needed personnel and
logistics including vehicles, riot control equipment and other necessary tools
and therefore asked the government to support in that vein. He also
requested for the establishment of a military detachment in Ejura because
according to him, the youth of Ejura have no respect for the police. Finally,
he stated that there was no community center in the town and therefore,
Page 46 of 55
 could not confirm the kind of social activities that the traditional authorities
and the youth participate in, apart from naming and marriage ceremonies,
festivals and funerals.

FINDINGS

1. We note from the onset that, an examination of the entire evidence obtained,
clearly demonstrates that, the death of Mohammed Ibrahim (a.k.a Kaaka)
served as the catalyst that triggered the disturbances which took place in
Ejura, on the 28th and 29th of June 2021, culminating in the death of two
persons and injuries of four others.

2. In relation to the events, leading to the death of “Kaaka”, Sahada Hudu (wife
of the deceased “Kaaka”), informed the Committee that during the lifetime
of her husband, he was very critical, through social media, of the lack of
development in Ejura. This according to her, courted the anger of certain
persons in the NPP (the Party to which her late husband belonged).

3. According to Sahada, her husband informed her about the threats issued by
certain individuals against him regarding his activities on social media. In
her view, the husband might have been killed as a result of his social media
activities.

4. Abeewakas Umar, testified and tendered five videos and an audio to support
his testimony that, the late “Kaaka” informed him that the MCE of Ejura had
directed his thugs to warn “Kaaka” regarding his activities on social media.
According to Abeewakas Umar, these warnings were to the effect that, if “
Kaaka” did not stop what he was doing, then he must blame himself for
whatever might happen to him. The Committee examined all the five videos
and the single audio presented to it by him.

5. Before dealing with these exhibits given to the Committee by Abeewakas,

the Committee observed that the said Abeewakas was economical with the
truth during his testimony before the Committee. This, we note, affected his
credibility. Despite the fact that Abeewakas, during the demonstration on the
29th June 2021, played a leading role in the said agitations and even granted
lengthy interviews to both Edward Oppong Marfo of Citi News and Erastus

Page 47 of 55
 Asare Donkor of the Multimedia group, he cleverly and disingenuously
presented facts to the Committee as if he did not take part in the
protestations. However, when confronted with the videos tendered by
Erastus in which he was seen defiantly demanding justice and urging the
youth on, he started weeping.

6. As a matter of fact, his conduct before the Committee was disappointing to

the members. In the light of the conduct exhibited by the said Abeewakas,
the Committee had to examine his evidence with all the caution required in
making any inferences. An examination of the five videos tendered by him
have no bearing on the alleged threats on the life of “Kaaka” as stated by
Abeewakas. In one of the videos “Kaaka was seen directing traffic. In two of
the videos, “Kaaka” was showing and complaining about the poor sanitation
in Ejura especially around the public toilet. The fourth video contains some
traditional elders pouring libation in respect of the forcible re-opening of the
Ejura market which had been closed during the Covid lockdown. The fifth
video was of “Kaaka” complaining about the lack of development in Ejura.

7. The Committee notes that the authenticity of the videos and audio presented
to it by Abeewakas is highly in doubt. These videos only surfaced after the
death of “Kaaka”. The Committee further notes that the wife of “Kaaka”
eloquently narrated everything she said was passed on by her late husband.
In all these she said she did not report the alleged threat on the life of her
husband to the police, neither did she give the names of the said persons who
were threatening her husband to the police although she claimed she knew
those persons.

8. The Committee further received the evidence of one Sadia Fuseini, a co-
tenant of the “Kaaka” family. Her testimony was that, on the night of 26th
June 2021, she was performing ablution in her room, when she heard the
engine sound of “Kaaka’s” motorbike. She suddenly heard a noise which
aroused her suspicion. Her curiosity led her to find out what had happened in
the compound of the house. She stated that, she saw the elder brother of the
late “Kaaka”, called Baba Iddi, dragging the deceased “Kaaka” towards the
direction of the general bathroom. Just then the light went off around the
bathroom. She stated further that she raised an alarm and went to knock on
the door of Sahada Hudu, the wife of “Kaaka”. Other tenants in the house,
including “Kaaka’s” mother and another brother, also came out and with the
assistance of a torchlight “Kaaka” was found lying down unconscious. He
was later taken to the hospital.

Page 48 of 55
9. The evidence of Sadia Fuseini was corroborated by another tenant, Muniratu
Alhassan. She also testified that, upon hearing the alarm raised by Sadia, she
went to the scene. On her way to the scene she met the elder brother of
“Kaaka” Baba Iddi, leaving the scene. She further corroborated the
statement of Sadia in relation to the assault on “Kaaka” that night. Although
the wife of “ Kaaka” tried to deny the evidence as given by Sadia regarding
the assault on her husband that night, she however admitted that Sadia came
to knock at her door and informed her of the assault on “Kaaka”. She also
admitted seeing her husband lying on the floor unconscious.

10.We, after careful examination of the evidence relating to the events

preceding the death of “Kaaka”, are convinced that the evidence as testified
to by Sadia Fuseini is more reasonably probable than the unsubstantiated
evidence of Abeewakas and Sahada Hudu which are more speculative. We,
accordingly find that, the death of “Kaaka” was not directly linked to his
social media activism. It is more probably a family feud. This is also
supported by the testimony of Aminu Mohammed a resident of Ejura and a
friend of the late “Kaaka”.

11.Turning to the events that unfolded on the 28th and 29th June, 2021, the
Committee received evidence from the Military, the Police, the Media
(namely Multi-media and Citi News) and the Chairman of REGSEC, as well
as the Ejura Traditional Council. We have examined the evidence on record
and we further find that, there was no need or justification for the dispatch of
a Police Riot Vehicle (water canon) to the cemetery on the morning of the
29th of June.

12.This singular act, in the given circumstances on the ground, constituted an

act of provocation. Both the District Police Commander and the Deputy
Regional Police Commander testified that, it was the family of “Kaaka” who
requested for police protection during the burial of the deceased “Kaaka”.
This piece of evidence was denied by the family members of “Kaaka” who
came to testify. When asked, both the Deputy Regional Commander and the
District Police Commander could not tell the Committee the name and
particulars of the said family member who made this request. It is observed
that, both the Diary of Action contained in “Exhibit D”, which is the docket
built on the murder of “Kaaka”, and the Crime Scene Report on the murder
of “Kaaka” and the demonstration at Ejura tendered as “Exhibit C” did not
contain the name and particulars of any such family member who had made
the request.

Page 49 of 55
13.The Committee finds this piece of evidence as an afterthought. One wonders
why the burial of “Kaaka” should require Police protection. In the light of
the events which happened on the 28th June, it would have been convincing,
if the Riot Vehicle had been deployed at either the Police Station or the
Municipal Assembly.

14.Evidence before us, that is “Exhibits B-series” and “F-series” tendered by

both Erastus Asare Donkor and Edward Oppong Marfo of Citi News, clearly
shows that the burial of the deceased “Kaaka” was without any violence
until the arrival of the Police Riot Vehicle at the cemetery. It is, therefore,
our finding from the evidence before us that, the presence of the Riot
Vehicle at the cemetery on the 29th of June was an act of provocation which
incensed an already angry and violent youth, thereby culminating in the
attack on the Police Riot Vehicle.

15.We note further that, the youth in protesting on the 29th of June on the
streets of Ejura, used offensive weapons like machetes, swords, cutlasses,
clubs, sticks and stones. We are convinced that these offensive weapons
were not necessary for the voice or grievances of the youth to be heard.

16.In the circumstance where on the 28th June, the youth had vandalized part of
the Police Station and other properties, it is expected that the security
agencies should have been apprehensive of a similar conduct by the youth.
This in our view, required a rapid response from the Police. The District
Commander of Police Ejura, in his testimony before the Committee stated
that, he called for reinforcement from the Divisional Headquarters, Asante
Mampong. The Deputy Regional Police Commander also stated that further
reinforcement was sent from Kumasi to Ejura. The Committee wonders the
nature of all these reinforcements. Examining the evidence of the Chairman
of REGSEC (Regional Minister, Ashanti), and that of the Nifahene of Ejura
Traditional Council, it appears to the Committee that, the reinforcement that
the Police sent to Ejura from Mampong and Kumasi was inadequate and that
they were under resourced for riot control on the 29th of June.

17.As a result of the small number of police and the lack of adequate riot
control equipment and gear, the Police were overwhelmed. This obviously
gave room for the marauding youth to have a field day.

18.We note further that, the Police Administration in both the District and the
Divisional levels underestimated the resolve of the youth, thereby creating
an atmosphere of fear and panic. A critical examination of the evidence
tendered by the security officers who appeared before the Committee,

Page 50 of 55
 clearly demonstrates that, there was no proper coordination in the handling
of the situation by the Police.

19.There was no need for the security personnel who were deployed in Ejura to
restore calm on the 28th June, to have left Ejura in the early hours of 29th
June. The Committee finds that this created a security vacuum in the town.
We are convinced that, having withdrawn the security personnel deployed
on the 28th June from Ejura, the District Police Commander failed in his
duty to adequately brief his superiors in the Divisional and Regional level to
beef up the personnel and logistics in anticipation of any eventualities on the
29th June. We note this because, if it was in fact true that the “Kaaka”
family requested for security during the burial of “Kaaka”, as alleged by the
District Police Commander, that should have been an adequate signal to the
District Commander to have immediately requested for the necessary
logistics and men to deal with any unwarranted situation. Rather sadly, the
District Commander decided to deploy the Riot Vehicle to the cemetery. We
find this conduct of the District Commander to be incompetent and he was
ill prepared for the occasion.

20.We note that, the testimony of the DCOP that the Police at Ejura visited the
scene of the crime (Kaaka’s house), where he was assaulted on the 26th June
2021, could not have been true. This is, because “Exhibit D” (i.e. the Docket
on the murder of Kaaka) discloses that the Diary of Action begins with the
date 30th June 2021, with information therein relating to the events at the
cemetery on the 29th of June. The Committee also found that, in “Exhibit C”
(the crime scene report) it has been indicated that, the Police visited the
scene of crime on the 26th June 2021. We note that, the record in “Exhibit
C” is a report by crime scene experts, which report, in our view, should be
based on the Diary of Action which is prepared by the original investigators
of the case. We, therefore, find that the statement made in “Exhibit C” had
no factual basis in the Dairy of Action and might have been an afterthought.
Further, the Nifahene had stated in his evidence that the complaint of the
youth to Nana Ejurahene on the morning of 29th June was that, the police
had not visited the scene of crime as at that day. In the view of the
Committee, the failure of the Police to act promptly on the complaint of
assault on “Kaaka” contributed to the rioting.

21.The Committee further finds that, there was no proper security briefing and
intelligence gathering and sharing. From the evidence of the Regional
Minister who is the Chair of the REGSEC, it is obvious that the intelligence
information he received caused him to authorise the deployment of the
military. He claimed to have received information from some sources in

Page 51 of 55
 Ejura. He deemed this information to be so vital and urgent that he ordered
the deployment of the military immediately.
He tendered in a video “Exhibit A”. When pressed to disclose the person
who gave him (the video of the attack on the Riot Vehicle) the Chairman of
REGSEC declined. We note that if there was a proper sharing of intelligence
information among members of REGSEC and their respective organisations
this “knee-jerk” approach would not have been adopted in the handling of
the situation on the ground. We note that, this escalated the situation and
thereby provided grounds for the deployment of the Military.

22.The Committee also finds that, the situation became fluid and got out of
hand because, the Police:
1) Did not work on their intelligence sharing
2) Failed to prepare for the situation on the ground
3) Over relied on the Military personnel and thereby failed to
organise adequately in terms of personnel and equipment.

23.We note this because, from the evidence tendered by the security personnel
to the Committee, one thing that was clear is that, all of them agreed that
they had intelligence that the youth wanted to attack the Police Station,
Municipal Assembly and other installations. If this intelligence were in
existence, we are baffled that nothing more concrete was put in place to
forestall the escalation of the situation than to rely on Military deployment,
knowing that the Standard Operative Procedure (SOP) of the Military is such
that they should not be used as a first line of riot control or crises
management, but as a last resort.

24.In relation to the response of the Military personnel on the 29th June, we note
from the evidence that, immediately the personnel touched down they started
firing warning shots, contrary to the evidence of the GOC (Central
Command) which was to the effect that, they gave a verbal warning which
was ignored before the warning shots begun.

25.The testimony of the Commander of the Section (ten men) that went to
Ejura, on the 29th June, belie the testimony of the GOC (Central Command).
An examination of some of the video evidence, tendered by Erastus Asare
Donkor show clearly that some of the Youth were throwing stones and other
implements towards the direction of the military men. The Committee
however do not consider these acts of the youth an extreme provocation that
required the firing of live ammunition into the crowd.

Page 52 of 55
26.We note that although the firing of live ammunition achieved the intended
purpose of dispersing the rioters, it left in its trail, unnecessary deaths, pain
and suffering on the people of Ejura. This in the view of the Committee,
could have been prevented if the Police had prepared adequately in terms of
personnel and logistics upon receiving the intelligence information prior to
the events of 29th June, 2021.

27.We also find the Police Station currently existing in Ejura, to be small and
very inadequate to serve the needs of a Municipality like Ejura.

28.We observed that, the MCE failed in his duty to handle the Municipality in
relation to his handling and dissemination of general information and
intelligent information. His approach to matters concerning the Municipality
as the political head of the Assembly was very poorly done. No wonder he
had to take cover when his Municipality was in turmoil, leaving a political
vacuum and the MUSEC was bereft of any leadership and proper
coordination and direction during the crises.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Committee recommends adequate Compensation for the families of the

two deceased persons, namely, Abdul Nasir Yusif and Murtala Suraj
Mohammed. Adequate compensation must also be paid to other injured
persons, namely Louis Ayikpa (20 years), Awal Misbau (16 years) and Nasif
Nuhu (30 years). These are the names known to the Committee.

2. The Committee recommends the immediate transfer of the District Police

Commander of Ejura, DSP Philip Kojo Hammond, first for his
incompetence in handing the situation and for the fact that, his relationship
with the community seems to have been damaged beyond repair.

3. We further recommend the structural expansion of the Ejura Police Station

and an increase in personnel.

4. We recommend the removal of the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Chief

Executive, Honourable Mohammed Salisu Bamba, since his continuous
presence as MCE would exacerbate the already tense security situation in
Ejura.
Page 53 of 55
5. It is further recommended that, the Military Establishment review the actions
of the Section on the ground, led by Lieutenant Martin Opoku Adusei, for
the inappropriate use of force, and apply appropriate sanctions.

6. We further recommend the training of REGSEC, MUSEC and DISEC

officials in the Ashanti Region in Conflict and Crises Management at the
Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College at least once every year.

7. We recommend the development of a joint Standard Operative Procedure

(SOP) for Military / Police operations, including roles for indispensable
allied agencies like the National Investigations Bureau, NADMO, Ghana
National Fire Service, National Ambulance Service, etc.

8. We further recommend that, the NCCE should intensify its Public education
in relation to the rights, obligations and civic responsibilities of the people of
Ejura.

9. It is further recommended that, all crowd /riot/crises control units be made to

wear bodycams and all vehicles and mobile gadgets employed must also
have cameras.

10. We recommend the establishment of a Sports and other Recreational

Facilities in Ejura under the Zongo Development Fund, so as to re-channel
the energies of the youth.

CONCLUSION

The Committee thanks the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ambrose Dery, for
the confidence reposed in us. We are also grateful to persons and institutions
who helped to make our work successful.

Our findings show that, the death of Mohammed Ibrahim aka “Kaaka” and
the mishandling of same, was the trigger point for the riots that followed.
Meanwhile, the maximum application of force, worsened the situation. We

Page 54 of 55
 hope that the ongoing investigations into the death of “Kaaka” would be
expedited and the culprit(s) brought to book.

We have put forward some recommendations, which, we believe, would be

accepted and implemented.

1. George Kingsley Koomson (JA)………………………………….

Chairman

2. Vladimir Antwi Danso (PhD.)……………………………………

Member

3. Juliet Adime Amoah (Ms.) ……………………………………….

Member

4. Marie-Louise Simmons (Mrs.) ……………………………………

Secretary

Page 55 of 55