Parliament calls for independent enquiry into Ashaiman shooting incidence

Parliament on Thursday called for an independent body to go into the shooting incident at Ashaiman on June 3, which resulted in casualties including the deaths of two people.
Some members also said there was the need for the Interior Minister to brief the House on the incident, which occurred as a result of a confrontation between the police and commercial drivers in the area over the arrests of drivers who had parked on the streets of Ashaiman.
The members were contributing to a statement by Mr Alfred Agbesi, (NDC-Ashaiman), who said in an attempt to control the crowd during the confrontation, the police resorted to the use of live ammunitions, tear gas, and "excessive force on armless and innocent civilians."
"Mr Speaker, I appeal to the government to set up an independent commission of inquiry as required in article 278 of the constitution to investigate this matter...."
"Government should take care of the injured and bear the funeral expenses of the dead," Mr. Agbesi added.
He said there should be a review of the command structure of the Motor Traffic Unit in Ashaiman and the key personnel interdicted or at least transferred.
Mr Abraham Osei Aidooh, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, contributing, said government should set up an independent body to go into the matter.
Mr. Edward Doe Adjaho, Deputy Minority Leader, said the Interior Minister should brief the House on the matter because there was the need to maintain peace and order due to the upcoming elections.
Later, the House debated a report of the Education Committee, which touched on a tour of the Committee to some GETFUND projects being undertaken in 16 teacher training colleges across four regions, including the Volta and Eastern regions.
Mr Stephen Balado Manu, Chairman of the Committee, who presented the report to the House said some projects, including the construction of a teacher's flat, and a classroom and library block at the Accra Training College, had been delayed.
He said the committee observed that there were also no stores and washrooms attached to the classrooms being built at the college and urged the Education Ministry to cause such important facilities to be incorporated into the final design.