The Ashanti Region Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has inaugurated a five-member committee to investigate the disturbances that occurred at the Krobea Asante Technical and Vocational Institute.
Members of the committee are Justice Samuel Obeng Diawuo, Justice of the Court of Appeal, who will serve as the Chairman; Rt. Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr, Retired Methodist Bishop; Mr. David Adu-Osei, Retired Regional Commander of NIB; Mr. Richard Addo Gyamfi, Acting Ashanti Regional Director, Ghana TVET Service, and Dr. Abeiku Apprey, Former Principal, Kumasi Technical Institute.
A nominated member of the committee, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana TVET Service, David Prah, has designated Richard Addo Gyamfi, Acting Ashanti Regional Director, Ghana TVET Service, to take his place.
The Ashanti Regional Minister reminded the committee members of the disturbances at the school which generated public interest due to the level of destruction and impunity with which it was done. He revealed that there is no clarity as to the primary reason for the riot and the extent and cost of damage. As such, the need to set up a committee to investigate the matter.
Among other things, the committee will have to ascertain the identity of the perpetrators and any other matter they deem necessary. The committee has been given two weeks to submit its report.
Mr Osei-Mensah expressed confidence in the committee and indicated that the members have been carefully selected from relevant background in order for them to bring their expertise and experiences to bear in resolving the matter.
Committee Chairman, Justice Samuel Obeng Diawuo, thanked the regional minister for the confidence reposed in them and promised to do their best in meeting the objectives of the committee.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Minister, has requested the police to declare the school prefect and other student leaders of Krobea Asante Technical and Vocational Institute wanted if they fail to show up and help with investigations, following the students protest which led to the destruction of school and private properties.
Mr Osei-Mensah stated that there is the need for the student leadership to prove their innocence and aid investigation.
“All the prefects of the school if they don’t surrender, they should declare them wanted. They are the leaders, what shows that they are not involved and if they are not involved what did they do? If you are the school prefect, why should you run away? What have you done that you are running away? If the parents are listening, they should bring all the children to the police station”.
Simon Osei-Mensah
Students charged with conspiracy to commit crime
Currently, thirty-nine students of the school accused of involvement in Sunday’s disturbances on campus have been remanded for one week in juvenile custody. This is to allow police ample time for investigation into the students’ vandalism.
The court, presided over by His Worship Samuel Buaben Quansah, refused bail request by counsel for the juveniles and young offenders.
The accused persons have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit unlawful entry, causing damage, and stealing. Head of Legal and Prosecution at Ashanti Regional Police Command, ACP Kofi Blagodzie, revealed that the police are pursuing other suspects.
Per the fact sheet, police had a distress call after midnight on Sunday, January 22, 2023. The students after sighting the police pelted them with stones despite warning shots from the police. It took reinforcement for the police to calm the situation.
The police managed to arrest thirty-nine of the students though electricity to the campus was cut off.
The three lawyers of the students mounted a strong defense for the students insisting most of them are innocent of the charges. They however claim some of the students were arrested in their beds.
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