Islamic SHS shooting: Defence and Interior C’ttee to submit report today

Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee is expected to present its report on the clash between the police and Islamic Senior High School students in Kumasi today (21 June 2022).

The Committee was handed a week ultimatum by the Speaker on Tuesday, 14 June, to report their findings to Parliament to enable the House to take the necessary action.

“I will direct the Committee on Defence and Interior to take this matter up and report next week. In other words, the committee members should visit the IGP, the regional police commander, and the school in question; visit the injured persons, the report by Tuesday with the findings and await the final investigations and if there is the need for us to take any further action, we will do that,” the Speaker ordered.

Background

About 25 Islamic Senior High School students in Kumasi were rushed to the hospital following an alleged clash with the police on Monday, 13 June 2022.

The agitated students, who appeared to have had enough casualties on the road in front of the school, took to the streets on Monday morning to protest.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the death of a teacher who was knocked down by a speeding vehicle over the weekend.

The students blocked the Abrepo Junction – Barekese road to register their displeasure.

According to them, frequent calls and promises for speed humps in light of recent accidents on the stretch have fallen on deaf ears.

Two hours into the demonstration saw heavy vehicular and human traffic.

The police were then called to the scene to clear the roadblock and disperse the agitated students.

However, the police fired tear gas and shot into the protesting crowd, causing the injuries.

The affected students who are said to be suffering from respiratory distress were taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Manhyia Hospital, and other neighbouring hospitals.

They have all been treated and discharged.

IGP Reaction

The Deputy Regional Commander in the Ashanti Region, DCOP Kwasi Akomeah-Apraku, has been removed from post following the incident.

Two other officers, ACP George Ankomah, the Regional Operations Officer, and ACP Alex Cudjoe Acquah, the Suame Divisional Police Commander, have also been interdicted to make way for a thorough investigation.

The Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) has since commenced a full-scale investigation into the conduct of the officers who were responsible for the police response.

Police clinical psychologists have also been deployed to the school to offer psychological support to the student body.