Children of Ibrahim Mohammed, an Ejura-based social media activist whose murder sparked mass riots in the town say they are still battling the trauma of his death, one year on.

The late Ibrahim Mohammed was killed by unknown assailants.

The family of Kaaka Macho, the man whose death sparked the protests still bear the scars of the incident.

Two of the five girls he left behind are unable to use the main entrance to their house to avoid recalling memories of how their father was found unconscious in a pool of blood.

A brother of the late activist, Nafiu Mohammed who shared the family's dilemma said Kaaka’s children are still traumatized as the family spends so much in search of justice at the courts.

Pointing to a metal door, he said, “He (Kaaka) has 5 daughters. Two of them don’t pass through this side. They feel that anytime they are passing, they see their father lying in a pool of blood.”

Mistakenly, if the person gets here, you will see her crying. So psychologically, it is a trauma to these children.”

JoyNews' Ohemeng Tawiah visited the popular Plot 267 Block H, the Dagomba Line family house of the late activist and observed that nothing much has changed apart from the main gate, which ahs been changed from wooden to gate.

Police say Ibrahim Mohammed, also known as Kaaka Macho, was attacked in the head possibly with a club by his assailants as he entered his family house on his motorbike.

The late Ibrahim Mohammed, a fashion designer noted for using social media platforms to address the ills in Ejura, died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, three days after he was attacked on June 26, 2021.

He died on June 29, 2021 after being referred from the Ejura Government Hospital.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gp4RpQH-F8

Angered by failure of Police personnel to arrest his suspected killers, the youth went on rampage, attacked the Ejura Police Station and vandalized property.

A Military reinforcement deployed on the orders of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah to maintain law and order, ended up gunning down two more people.

Those memories are still fresh on the minds of residents.

Municipal Chief Executive for Ejura-Sekyedumase, Dr. Kingsley Osei says the people of Ejura do not want to be reminded of the Kaaka debacle.

“What happened was not something the citizenry, the opinion leaders, the chieftaincy institution, the Assembly wanted particularly the shedding of blood. It was an incident we do not want to remember.”

Abdulai Abubakar’s younger brother, 25-year-old Abdul Nazir, a father of one, was among the protesters who were killed.

He died protecting the team from the Multimedia Group who covered the protest.

“I went with him to the cemetery to bury Kaaka. We got home and he told me he was going out. Few minutes later, they called and said they have shot him; I went to the hospital  and saw him on the hospital bed already dead. Just like that.” Mr. Abubakar recounted.

 Mr. Abubakar’s family benefited from a compensation package from government.

But despite receiving compensation from government on the recommendations of a Committee of Enquiry, his family wants to see the Military officers who took part in the shooting punished.

“Government compensated us in its own wisdom and the love for the family. He did that but we did not request for compensation. What we want is justice; nothing but justice,” he said.

“Nobody is supposed to be above the law of this country.”

“We want them to explain to Ghanaians why they decided to use live bullets. So we wanted a stop to this type of killing,” he added.

MUSEC injuncts planned commemorative event

Meanwhile, the family says they’ve been denied the opportunity to mourn and pray for their departed relatives as  authorities of Ejura-Sekyedumasi Municipal Assembly move to injunct activities earmarked to commemorate the one year anniversary of his death.

Families of victims who died in the riots had planned a commemorative event to mark the 1-year anniversary on June 30, 2022.

But the Ejura District Court granted an interlocutory injunction filed by the Ghana Police Service against the organization of the first anniversary of the passing of victims of the Ejura riots.

The Municipal Security Committee, acting on intelligence opposed the event, which included a procession to the cemetery and clean up exercise on the tombs of the deceased, for fear it may lead to disturbances.

That MUSEC decision has infuriated the families.

Nafiu Mohammed, a brother of the late Kaaka Macho said, “We have been denied of our religious rights. What disgusts me now is the court that has been used as obstacle to prevent the family from mourning their individuals.”

JoyNews caught up with the Chief Executive of the Ejura Municipal Assembly, Dr. Kingsley Osei.

According to him, the Municipal Security Committee took the decision in the best of security interest for the people of Ejura.

“We at MUSEC who are in charge of security feel and think that allowing them to go ahead with that celebration could bring about another uprising and we wouldn’t want that to happen.”