Kasoa shooting: Deceased's brother suspects cover-up

The brother of a 37-year-old man who was killed by military men while two others sustained serious injuries during a demolition exercise in Kasoa last year, has rejected the report that cleared the 23 soldiers involved.

Samuel Darko is demanding justice as he raises suspicion of a cover-up in the murder of his brother, Michael Darko.

A demolition exercise which was being carried out at the Kasoa Millenium City last year when it got bloody, leading to the death of one person. Michael, who got shot in the process, died after gunshots at the back of his head, which fractured his skull with cerebral convulsion.

The soldiers were mandated to maintain order and supervise the demolition exercise as some residents protested against the pulling down of structures.

The Military High Command in Accra launched an investigation into the matter. After several months, the reports have cleared the soldiers of wrongdoing.

According to the Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Colonel Eric Aggrey Quarshie, the death “was unfortunate”.

“But as for death, we cannot run away from it. The people went there to perform a duty. That incident would not have happened if they were not asked to go there and we cannot dismiss them for that,” Colonel Quarshie said.

According to him, however, “any punishment [for excessive force] is within the military”.

“We have laws to deal with people when they do something outside the task given them,” added the military officer.

Responding to the development, the brother of the deceased challenged the account of the military. He urged that authorities “should not be biased and make sure that the person who was alleged to have sent them [military] also brought to book. We believe justice has not been served. What they have brought out is not the truth”.

“According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers were leading the demolition and drew lines for people not to cross. From an eyewitness and what the ASP told us, he [deceased] was not even close. I spoke with the officer; he said there were no stones scattered from the pictures [taken at the scene]. There were no sticks, and when they checked there was no weapon so, they have to explain themselves to us well,” he demanded.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) is also conducting a criminal investigation into the incident. The details from the police are yet to be made public.