The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, has revealed that calmness has been restored in the Kwahu Bepong community and its environs after the clash between the youth and the police on February 4, 2024.
Residents of the town have resumed their daily activities which were disrupted during the violent incident, according to Mr. Acheampong.
“Even the traders who sell by the roadside and all that have started, and they’re beginning to see signs of normality,” he said.
It would be recalled that 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.
Mr. Acheampong disclosed that the Regional Police Command had briefed him on the clash incident which occurred within his jurisdiction.
“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, and the misunderstanding started from there. Fortunately, the police intervened upon realizing that it was getting out of hand,” Mr Acheampong noted in an interview monitored by The Ghana Report on TV3.
He explained that the police met a very furious crowd who unfortunately damaged property.
“The police vehicle was vandalized, and the palace was also damaged. They have therefore deployed more security enforcement agents on the 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, peace, and harmony within the Bepong township. It has been a worry for them,” he stressed.
He added; “I have heard of some causalities, but actual numbers 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 a 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”.