Alliance Demo claims 5 lives

Ghanaian Times Friday 12 May 1995

Following persistent reports of likely acts of vandalism and lawlessness during the anti-VAT demonstration in Accra yesterday, the security agencies took a number of precautionary measures to protect life and property. These included the deployment of personnel along certain routes and sensitive installations as well as aerial surveillance.

A statement by the Minister of the Interior, Colonel E.M. Osei-Wusu, said supporters of the Alliance for Change formed by some opposition politicians, namely Mr Akoto Ampaw, Mr Kwesi Pratt and others, clashed with members of the Association for the Defence of the Revolution who had formed a human shield around the Makola market which some unidentified persons had attempted to burn down the previous night.

It said following scuffles which took place during the demonstrations, there were some casualties. So far, five had been confirmed dead while a number of people had been arrested.

Incidents of looting and vandalism by supporters of the Alliance for Change, the statement said, had also been reported at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, the Neoplan Station, the Kaneshie market, as well as the company offices of Alhaji Issifu Ali, chairman of the National Democratic Congress.

"The Security Services have acted to bring the situation under control and will continue to employ measures to maintain law and order. Traders and shopkeepers in and around Accra Central, who were advised by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to close their business to protect their wares from being looted by supporters of the Alliance for Change, may now open for normal business", the statement said.

"The Security Services are monitoring the situation closely and are very aware of their responsibility to preserve law and order as well as uphold the constitution", the statement said, and added that a full-scale enquiry would be conducted into the incidents.