Ejura killings is an affront on Ghana’s democracy – CSOs on SDG Goal 16 laments

The Goal 16 Sub-platform of the Ghana Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Platform on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has expressed disgust at the recent killings that occurred in Ejura Sekyeredumase in the Ashanti Region.

The SDG Goal 16 Platform also described the actions by the security agencies as unjustifiable, unprofessional and contravenes the aspirations of the SDGs.

“The Ejura killings is an affront to Ghana’s democracy and gravely undermines the country’s efforts toward the achievement of Goal 16 of the SDGs, which Ghana is a Champion of,” a statement sighted by ghananewsonline.com.gh had noted.

It said “The Goal 16 Sub-platform condemns in no uncertain terms the unfortunate incident and join our voices with all other organisations and well-meaning Ghanaians who are calling for transparent investigations and justice for all victims.

The full statement below:

GOAL 16 SUB-PLATFORM OF THE GHANA CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOS) PLATFORM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) CONDEMS THE KILLING OF PROTESTERS IN EJURA

The Goal 16 Sub-platform, of the Ghana Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Platform on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has noted with grave concern and sadness the unproportionate indiscriminate use of force by the police and military team resulting in the death of two protestors at Ejura Sekyeredumasi in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday 29th June 2021.

The Goal 16 Sub-platform condemns in no uncertain terms the unfortunate incident and join our voices with all other organisations and well-meaning Ghanaians who are calling for transparent investigations and justice for all victims.

The Ejura killings is an affront to Ghana’s democracy and gravely undermines the country’s efforts toward the achievement of Goal 16 of the SDGs, which Ghana is a Champion of.

SDG16 among others seek to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere; Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all; Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels; Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements, among others.

The death of Ibrahim Mohammed (aka Kaka) a 40-year old #FixTheCountry# activist who uses social media to draw government’s attention to the ills in his community, by unknown assailants and the subsequent shooting of protestors, who were calling for Justice for the loss of their fellow citizen, by the police directly is unjustifiable, unprofessional and contravenes the aspirations of the SDGs.

The brutal use of coercive force by the security forces against the unarmed protestors also contravenes both local and international policing and crowd management laws. We insist that all found culpable must be dealt with according to the laws of Ghana.

It is becoming unbelievably difficult to comprehend what could have motivated the killers of Kaka and the trigger happy military officers to deliberately open fire in controlling the angry crowd for demanding justice for an ordinary fallen compatriot.

Whilst we await swift action to be taken to address the issues and calm down tensions in the country, the SDG16 Sub-Platform extend its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured speedy recovery.

We call on all Ghanaians to remain calm, uphold the rule of law, whilst we call for Justice for all victims. Though happy about the ministerial enquiry into the Ejura disturbances, the SDG16 Sub-Platform is however concerned about how findings of enquiries do not result in justice being served and improvement in security sector reforms especially on crowd control in the country. We are urging that this important process too should not be disappointing as those in the past.

…End…

Issued on this 1st Day of July, 2021

By Isaac Dzidzoamenu