Islamic SHS shooting: Persons seeking access to school environment must follow the law, conduct themselves appropriately – CRI

The Child Rights International (CRI) has asked the Ghana Education Service (GES) to investigate the circumstances that led to the Police shooting at the Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi.

A statement issued by CRI said the presence of the Police on any school campus especially one inhabited by minors should be friendly and in an effort to protect the best interest of children in accordance with the Welfare Principle Section Two (2) of the Children’s Act 560 of the Ghanaian constitution.

Any individual or organisation who seeks to gain access to such an environment must go through due processes required by law and conduct themselves appropriately once access has been granted, CRI said.

“The conduct of the Police in firing live ammunition and tear gas into a crowd of children on the school’s campus not only is against the best interest of children that were involved, but also has psychological ramifications perpetuated by the negative images and perception of the law enforcement that has been created in the minds of these children during their confrontation with members of the service.

“This certainly does not serve their best interest or that of their parents, school authorities and society. The GES must launch a full-fledged investigation into the matter and subsequently make provisions to prevent and ensure that state and non-state institutions, media and individuals accessing the school do so through the right processes.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Regional Commander in the Ashanti Region, DCOP Kwesi Akomea Apraku has been removed following the shooting incident.

This was after the Inspector General of Police Dr George Akuffo Dampre led a team to the area to assess the situation.

Portions of a statement issued by the Police after the IGP’s visit said “It was further established that even though nobody was hit by a bullet the Police handling of the incident was poor and fell short of our standard operating procedure on crowd control.

“As a result, DCOP Kwesi Akomeah-Apraku who was acting as the Regional Commander has been removed from his position and has been interdicted. Two other officers, ACP Mr George Ankomah, the Regional Operations Officer and ACP Mr Alex Cudjoe Acquah, the Suame Divisional Police Commander have also been interdicted to make way for a thorough investigations into the matter.”

Over thirty students of the Islamic Senior High School were rushed to the hospital after the police allegedly fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse students who were demonstrating over incessant vehicular knockdown.

Worried parents stormed the school to demand for the release of their wards on Monday June 13.

The affected students were conveyed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and other hospitals in Kumasi.

“I should be worried but some of them have been resituated . we will follow to the hospital and see how they are doing,” Madam Mary Owusu Afriyie, the Regional Education Director told journalists.

Source: Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana