Commission on Human Rights exonerates Kukurantumihene

Koforidua (Ghanaian Times) -- The Eastern Regional office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), had dismissed a complaint of unfair treatment lodged against Nana Kena Ampaw, chief of Kukurantumi by a citizen of the town, Esther Asieduwaa.

Madam Asieduwaa had complained that the chief on 04 August 2001, deployed some police officers to the town following a misunderstanding there. The police, according to Madam Asieduwaa, fired gunshots injuring her 12-year-old son who was hit in the back with a bullet, which passed through his armpit in the process.

The complaint claimed that the boy was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra where the bullet was successfully removed. She alleged that although she had reported the incident to the elders of the town, neither they nor Nana Kena Ampaw assisted in footing the medical bills and caring for the boy.

Nana Kena Ampaw, on his part, denied deploying the police to the town and explained that they (police) were in the town on the said day to maintain order at a durbar, which ended without an incident.

He said that it was after the durbar and the departure of all invited guests that a group of youth in the town started misbehaving and throwing stones into the palace. “The situation was so intense that the policemen could not withstand it and therefore requested for reinforcement from Koforidua. It was during this confrontation at about 10 pm that the complainant’s son and others were hit by gunshots,” Nana Kena was quoted as saying in his response to the allegation to CHRAJ.

The Regional Police commander confirmed the chief’s contention of the youth’s misbehaviour and the resultant police action and alleged that after the police had stopped firing the warning shots, some shots were heard from where the mob had gathered.