Tema NPP Executives condemn Navy over killings

Executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Tema, Greater Accra, have condemned the recent fatal shooting of unarmed civilians by the Navy in Tema, calling on the government to expedite action on expected investigation and retribution.

This condemnation was made after leading party officials visited the families of the two persons who were killed as a result of the infamous Kpeledzoo festival procession shooting at the Naval base in the harbour city.

“We unequivocally condemn this unprofessional and murderous trigger-happy behaviour and urge the government to expedite action on investigations that have already been commissioned into the dastardly incident,” said the Tema East Chairman of the NPP, Nene Agbadiagba Ofoe-Teyechu lV.

He was speaking in an interview with journalists after visiting the families of the deceased in Tema Manhean, and was in the company of other party gurus including some executives from Tema West and Tema Central constituencies.

The visit which was to commiserate with the bereaved families, and also loved ones of the injured was in response to the April 12, 2024 shooting of some people who were on a procession as part of the annual Kpeledzoo festival at the Tema Naval Base.

According to reports, the shootings occurred when the Navy clashed with some Kpeledzoo groups at Tema Manhean during the final procession to mark the annual Kpeledzoo festival.

The Navy had stopped the group which had been going on procession throughout Tema New Town from using the street in front of the Eastern Naval Base, but they defied the Navy’s instruction.

This provoked a clash leading to some members of the traditional group on the procession pelting the Naval Base with broken bottles.

In response, some armed personnel of the Navy fired into the crowd.

“As a result, two people were killed and a number of people injured. We are here to commiserate with the bereaved families and also those who have been hospitalized because they were hit by live bullets,” Nene Ofoe Teye-Chu Agbadiagba explained.

Among the casualties was Christopher Amu, whose family was full of gratitude to the NPP gurus for the fellow feeling showed.

“What happened was very unprofessional on the part of the Navy, but we are glad that the government and our leaders in Tema here are standing with us. We are grateful for the commiseration and look forward to government giving us justice, the Tema MCE, Hon. Yohane Amarh Ashitey and the Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, have been very helpful and may God bless them, I would also want to commend Nene Ofoe Teye-Chu Agbadiagba NPP-led delegation for their donation in cash and kind, we are happy for the show of love by the NPP,” said the family’s representative who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Nene Ofoe Teye-Chu Agbadiagba IV, condemned what he said was the deliberate politicization of the unfortunate incident saying it was the height of primitive behaviour.

“There has been unprofessional intemperance that has resulted in deaths, how could anybody blame the government for it? The NDC’s behaviour is very anti-state and lacks foundation in common sense, how can you do politics with this? In fact NDC members who are doing politics with it have no shame and must give themselves to God,” Nene said.

On his part, Stephen Aboagye, second vice chairman of Tema East NPP assured that the government will thoroughly probe the incident and bring a just closure that instills deterrence against future occurrences.

“I can assure you that the Government of His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo holds every single Ghanaian life in priceless esteem and will do the needful to ensure that a just and deterrent closure is brought to this issue,” Mr. Aboagye said.

Those in attendance at the well-attended commiseration ceremony include Seth Agyapong, alias Shadow, constituency organizer, Albert Kraku, communications officer, Gilbert Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, constituency youth organizer, NPP women’s groups and polling station executives.