Civil societies in Ghana have made a unanimous call to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the fatal and chaotic events at Ejura when military and protestors clashed.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Working Towards the Promotion of Good Governance, Human Rights, and Public Accountability in Ghana, public inquiry instituted by the Ministry of the Interior over the matter is not likely to do an objective job.
“While we commend the President for directing swift investigations into this matter, we are concerned that the use of the Interior Ministry in conducting investigations into matters which involve agencies acting under the authority of the Ministry may compromise the fairness and integrity of its findings. The Ministry of Interior which may have been complicit in the handling of this unfortunate incident at Ejura Sekyedumase cannot be judges in their own cause.
“It is only proper that an independent body conducts investigations into this matter. In this respect, we call on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) under whose mandate this matter which involves excessive abuses of human rights squarely falls, to thoroughly investigate this incident and cause the criminal prosecution of all persons found culpable,†the CSOs said in press a statement.
The 22-member Coalition also urged journalists, analysts, political commentators and other Ghanaians speaking on the matter to be circumspect.
“The tendency to mischaracterise and perhaps trivialise such sensitive and critical national issues often do not help in ascertaining the facts of what may have actually happened.
“We urge the youth of Ejura Sekyedumase, and indeed, all Ghanaians to remain calm. We must all exercise restraint and not engage in any acts of violence as investigations continue, in order to bring to justice all those responsible for the unlawful killings and injuries of our compatriots,†the statement urged.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW.
