The youth in Walewale in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region are demanding transparency in investigations into a shooting incident which occurred last Saturday.
One Amadu Yussif, 15, was shot at the butt after police were called in to disperse a night club activity in the area as per the directives of government on social gathering.
The boy is currently on admission at the Walewale municipal hospital.
New of the shooting of Amadu Yussif has sparked anger in the community with the youth describing the police’s conduct as as unprofessional.
Convener of the Concerned Youth of Walewale Issah Toha Shamsoo said in a statement on Monday that they want a “transparent, credible and objective investigation on the matter”.
Below is the full statement:
CONCERNED YOUTH OF WALEWALE CALLS FOR A TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE SHOOTING OF MR. AMADU YUSSIF (15 YRS) IN WALEWALE ON THE NIGHT OF 6TH JUNE, 2020 BY A POLICE OFFICER
For immediate release
7th June, 2020
We the Concerned Youth of Walewale have painfully read and watched the disturbing reports about the unfortunate shooting of a young man in Walewale by a uniformed police officer.
We have duly confirmed that such incident indeed occurred and Mr. Amadu Yussif (currently responding to treatment) was shot by a police officer in the process after our checks in town.
As a matter of emergency, we call for a transparent investigation into this life-threatening matter to ascertain the premises on which this young man was shot. And the findings of the investigations must be made public with the necessary sanctions applied fully.
We are ever ready to demand justice for our dear brother currently down at Walewale Municipal Hospital and we cannot accept the shooting of civilians by police officers as normal. Police officers like other security personnel are trained to handle confrontations in a professional manner so it’s important there is clear understanding on the premises on which this our young brother and friend was shot.
We call on our honourable assembly members, our Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Somo Lucky Basintale, our Honourable Member of Parliament Dr. Sagri Bambangi and our respectable Chiefs to ensure that the right thing is done and justice served.
As a youth group, we are hurt and perturbed by this act of the police because this can happen to anyone, it’s prudent these uniformed officers understand that they are paid from our taxes to protect us (citizens) not to harm or shoot us.
Unfortunately, none of the numerous armed robbery cases that have been reported to the Walewale Police Station have been finalized neither has the community been informed of any progress made with investigations but a police officer of the same station has temerity and effontery to shoot a civilian.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! WE SHALL RESIST ANY POLICE BRUTALITY ON US.
We are by this release notifying our Municipal Chief Executive, Municipal Police Commander, Honourable Member of Parliament and all other necessary stakeholders that, we would advise ourselves on the next line of action legally permissible should our demand for a transparent investigation is not met within a period of ONE WEEK that is latest by Saturday, 13th June, 2020.
Thank you.
By Issifu Mahama Mashood|3news.com|North East Regon|Ghana