First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu banned from campaigning

The people of Behenase in the Bekwai Municipality have dared the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, Lawyer Joseph Osei Owusu, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Kyei Baffuor, Bekwai constituency party executives and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) machinery not to step in the community to campaign for votes towards the 2020 elections.

They claim the party has ignored them in their quest to seek justice for their relatives who have become victims of barbaric assaults unleashed on them by the police.

Mr Lawrence Ntiamoah, a youth leader, in addressing a news conference on Monday morning, said in the evening of Monday, June 24, 2019, there was a clash between the Bekwai police and the youth in the community, which led to the death of one Mr Joseph Kingsley Ntiamoah, after he was hit by a stray bullet.

He said others sustained gunshots and are currently receiving medical attention at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

Mr Ntiamoah explained that the unprofessional conduct of the police caused the mayhem and that instead of protecting lives and properties, the police shot directly into the crowd in an attempt to disperse the people who were unarmed.

According to the spokesman, they had petitioned the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, the Regional Minister, the Member of Parliament, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and Municipal Chief Executive for justice for the late Ntiamoah, an Agricultural Extension Officer who was about to go on retirement, yet nothing has been heard from those individuals.

It is for this neglect that the community would not have anything to do with the NPP if the party cannot champion the cause of justice for the constituents.

As a result of the seeming neglect, the community has appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene to ensure that justice is given to the community.