Five more suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting incident that occurred in the Central Regional town of Mankessim, officials say.
This brings the number to 11 suspects assisting the police in investigations into the bloody clashes during the ceremony to unveil a queen mother, Nana Araba Otua II.
Central Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Oppong, who confirmed this to DailymailGh.com, said the suspects were picked up in their hideout.
She added that the police are still on a manhunt to apprehend anyone connected to the incident.
All the suspects have since been remanded into police custody during a third appearance at the Cape Coast Magistrate Court 2 on Thursday, December 19, 2019.
Sitting was adjourned to Thursday, January 9, 2020 as prosecution requested for more time to conclude investigation.
A provisional charge of murder has been proffered on the suspects.
Background
The incident occurred on Saturday, December 7, 2019, when a faction of a protracted chieftaincy dispute at Mankessim enstooled a new queen mother in the person of Nana Araba Otuah II to replace Nana Ama Amisssah who is the substantive queen-mother of Mankessim.
It follows a ruling on November 11, 2019, by a High Court in Cape Coast nullifying the latter’s name and that of the Omanhene of Mankessim Traditional council from the register of National House of Chiefs.
While the newly enstooled queen-mother was being transported in a palanquin and paraded in a procession along the Mankessim Anafo road, some gunmen in a storey building near the Anafo junction opened fire at those taking part in the procession.
Five other persons including a police officer, Inspector William Nyarko, were among those injured.
The development has renewed calls for stricter regulations on the use of firearms in Ghana.
Security Commentator, Adams Bonaa believes the introduction of tighter regulations on the use of guns would mitigate such incidents of violence.
“We have small arms all over the country and apart from that we do also have security officials either owning some of these arms legally or illegally. I have advocated that we put in stronger measures in place to ensure that small arms are not used the way and manner people use them during festive occasions or are not used just as we see across the country without any restrictions.
“I am aware that the Ministry of Interior that is in charge of the licensing and all that. There is some amount of restriction with the issuance of licenses for gun permits or gun ownership but that notwithstanding we still have a large section of the public that still own firearms legally or illegally but most of them don’t have what it takes to own a firearm”, he said in an interview.
Source: Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH