The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, has assured residents of Kwahu Bepong and its environs as well as the general public that calm has been restored after the clash between the youth and the police.
According to Mr. Acheampong, residents of the town have started going about their duties.
“Even the traders who sell by the roadside and all that have started, and they’re beginning to see signs of normality,” he said.
He revealed that the Regional Police Command has given him an initial brief on what happened in the Bepong town.
“There was an alleged murder and so the culprit was found and instead of sending the person to the law enforcement agencies, they rather sent the fellow to the palace, and that ended up becoming another matter, the misunderstanding started from there. Fortunately, the police intervened upon realizing that it was getting out of hand,” Mr Acheampong said on Monday February 5 edition of Ghana Tonight on TV3.
He explained that the police met an irate crowd who unfortunately damaged property.
“The police vehicle was vandalized, the palace was also damaged. They have therefore deployed more security enforcement agents on ground. Fortunately, that aided them in restoring calm to the community,” he said.
The Regional Minister commended the Ghana Police Service for their prompt response in respect of this matter.
“I commend the high level of professionalism exhibited by the Police. I encourage them to continue to help bring stability and peace and harmony within the Bepong township. It has been really a worry for them,” he stressed.
Mr Acheampong could however not confirm the number of casualties.
“I have heard of some causalities, but actual number have not been confirmed yet. They are still waiting for the team, so they are just waiting for the Police Service to give them the report. I understand that it is still work in progress and wouldn’t want to rush in confirming numbers. At the end of it all, we will give a full report to everybody. But they’re praying that they don’t deal with such incidents anymore, he explained.
Background
It would be recalled that on February 5, a confrontation ensued between some police officers and an agitated crowd in the Kwahu South Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The incident happened at the chief’s palace, where the police were attempting to rescue an alleged suspect accused of murdering two people in Adwumasu, a farming community in the Kwahu South Municipality.
Community members, upon learning of the arrest, stormed the palace, demanding the immediate release of the suspect for instant justice.
The police, who intervened, prevented the release, leading to community members growing impatient and pelting the police with stones. The crowd ended up destroying a service vehicle and four police motorbikes.
By Eva Boamah