E/R: Police SWAT Team storms Bukunor, residents resist arrest

A SWAT Team from the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters stormed troubled Bukunor Junction Community in a failed attempt to arrest conveners of Monday’s demonstration.

The armed Police personnel led by the Asesewa District Police Commander Superintendent Boakye Ansah were resisted by the angry residents. After many minutes of the standoff, the Police team left the community without arrest.

“Armed SWAT Police Personnel from Koforidua led by the Asesewa District Police Commander came to the community in the evening to 4pm to 5pm
to arrest myself (Assembly Member) and the Chief but the youth resisted them so they left”.

Residents of Bukunor Junction and its surrounding communities in the Yilo Krobo District of the Eastern Region on Monday, December 29,2019, demonstrated against reckless driving by truck drivers who transport limestone from Asesewa to Tema.

The action by the residents was taken after two trucks crashed to death two residents -Tetteh Micheal,15, and Paul-Akwetey,20, while two others Akorley Amos, and Peter Akwetey suffered life-threatening injuries and currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Drivers of the trucks claim they failed break hence the fatal accident.

The angry residents say they will not allow the company mining limestone to transport the raw materials through the Community henceforth.

An attempt by six-member armed police team initially deployed from Asesewa to force the residents who had mounted a blockade on the road to clear it failed as the residents resisted the Police.

The road was later cleared after Police pleaded with leaders of the demonstration to talk to calm down the residents.

Despite clearing the road, the residents disallowed three trucks of the limestone company from passing to the site hence chased them out to return to Tema.

Ebenezer Tei Narteh, Assembly Member for the area told Kasapa News they will not allow any of the trucks transporting limestone to pass through the community until they enter a memorandum of understanding.

He said residents in the Krobo area have been taken for a ride for far too long.

According to him, communities in the area are not benefiting from the exploration of natural resources in the area.

He also accused the limestone company of insensitivity for not visiting the bereaved families to commiserate with them.

Distraught Juliana Korkor Mother of the late Akwetey Paul and injured Akwetey Peter, who were twins is calling for justice to be served. She said the surviving twin has been traumatized and has been hallucinating thereby needs Psychological help.

Source: Kasapafmonline.com/102.5FM/Kojo Ansah