Government releases report on Suame magazine demonstrations

Accra (Greater Accra), 29th June 99 ?

The government has urged all members of the Ghana National Association of garages and other relevant associations to abide by their own rules and regulations and see to their enforcement as far as they affect the smooth operation of the Association.

They should also not resort to taking to the streets in pursuit of their grievances.

This was contained in government recommendations on a report of a committee of enquiry into the demonstration of artisans of Suame magazine industrial area in Kumasi in March 10, 1997, released in Accra on Monday.

Major E.B. Asirifi of the Fourth Battalion of Infantry, headed the three-member committee.

Two people, Ibrahim Alhassan, 20, and Moro Hamidu Banda, 28, were killed when police opened fire on the demonstrators.

Other members of the committee were Mr Okyere Antwi of the Attorney-general's department and Mr R.K. Prempeh of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.

The Government directed the relevant state agencies, such as the Town and Country Planning, Lands Commission and the Land Valuation Board, to be involved in regularising the place of occupation of the artisans and demarcating the plots at the new site, in order to minimise any further discontent in the area.

The statement said the government accepts the committee's finding that the Police under the control of ASP Yakubu, did not follow laid down riot control procedures.

This negligently led to the deaths of Alhassan and Banda.

"Government accordingly directs the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to take the necessary disciplinary action against ASP Yakubu."

The Government accepted the committee's recommendation that the families of the deceased should be compensated.

It directed that in view of the tender ages of the victims, 10 million cedis compensation should be paid to the identified next of kin for each of the deceased instead of six million cedis recommended by the committee.

The government further directed that payment of the stipulated amounts by the Kumasi Metropolitan Authority (KMA) to those persons whose vehicles were recognised as damaged in the demonstration.

"The government directs the KMA to ensure that the proposed Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) substation is appropriately sited without further delay after requisite consultation with the artisans of Suame magazine."

The government urged the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG), the Suame Foundry and all relevant organisations and individuals to ensure that the principles of probity, transparency and accountability are instilled in the dealings of the affairs of the Suame magazine artisans in order that peace and prosperity may prevail.

GRi?/