The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has justified the deployment of soldiers during the Ejura protest that claimed two lives.
Appearing before a three-member committee probing the killings on Tuesday (6 July), he explained that the protest by the youth was considered a security threat thus the need to call the military for reinforcement.
Osei-Mensah said the military was only called to restore order.
“Already they had attacked the police station and I had asked the police regional commander to send reinforcement. It has been one of my security strategies since 2017.
“Where I realised it is difficult for the police alone, I call the military or whichever of the security agencies that will be relevant in that case,” he said.
Osei-Mensah said the urgency of the matter did not make it possible for a meeting to plan a response strategy.
Listen to Simon Osei-Mensah
Arrests
The civil unrest in Ejura erupted when Ibrahim Mohammed “Kaaka”, 45, was reportedly attacked by unknown people in the small hours of Sunday 27 June.
He died on Monday (28 June) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, where he was receiving treatment.
At least two suspects have been arrested in connection with his murder.
Two suspects – Ibrahim Issaka and Fuseini Alhassan – were picked up on Monday evening in response to police intelligence.
Security personnel then fired into an angry crowd of youth in the town after the funeral of “Kaaka” on 29 June, killing Abdul Nasiw and Muntala Mohammed.
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