The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a statement regarding an incident that occurred during the Tema Kplejoo Festival, clarifying the circumstances surrounding the firing of warning shots by personnel at the Eastern Naval Base in Tema Newtown.
Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, the Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, stated that the shots were fired to protect the sensitive installations of the base and repel attacks from some youth in the town. This comes in response to allegations that navy personnel fired into a group of youth participating in the festival, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries.
According to the press release, a vehicle belonging to the Eastern Naval Command was attacked by festival participants, leading to damage to the vehicle and injuries to three naval personnel. Three suspects were subsequently arrested and handed over to the Tema Newtown District Police for further investigation.
The situation escalated when a mob, believed to be part of the festival participants, attacked the Tema Naval Base with stones and other objects in an attempt to free their detained colleagues. Warning shots were then fired to protect the base's installations, although it was later reported that two civilians were brought to the Tema General Hospital deceased. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, the mob allegedly launched another attack on the Tema Naval Base and the Naval Barracks at Tema Newtown, resulting in property destruction.
The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces, has initiated investigations into the incident, and findings will be disclosed in due course.
The Ghana Armed Forces expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and urged all parties to maintain calm during the investigation. However, they also cautioned the youth of Tema that any further attacks on military installations or personnel would be met with an appropriate response.
