Ghana Police Service is investigating the Kwashieman fire incident
The Ghana Police Service has commenced an investigation into the fire outbreak at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools, where ballot boxes for the disputed Ablekuma North Constituency were being stored.
The police, in a statement released on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, confirmed that the facility was being used as a storage facility for ballot boxes prior to its destruction.
According to the police, they are working closely with the Ghana National Fire Service to determine the cause of the fire.
They have assured Ghanaians that those responsible for the arson attack will be apprehended and made to face the law.
“The Ghana Police Service, in partnership with the Ghana National Fire Service, is investigating a fire outbreak that occurred in the early hours of today, 17th December 2024, at Kwashieman Cluster of Schools where the Ablekuma North Constituency ballot boxes are housed. We wish to assure the public that any individual or group of individuals found responsible for this incident will be arrested and brought to face justice. We urge the public to remain calm as investigation into the incident continues,” the police said.
Meanwhile, the police in a latest update has revealed that 132 individuals involved in election-related violence and incidents are currently standing trial, with 45 suspects remanded into custody.
The remaining suspects are either on police enquiry or have been granted court bail, respectively.
“Meanwhile, the 132 suspects arrested across the country in connection with the post-election disturbances are still going through the due process of the law. Out of this number, 45 suspects have been remanded into custody, 71 are on Police enquiry bail, and 16 are on court bail,” it added.
Background
The Kwashieman Cluster of Schools in the Ablekuma North constituency was devastated by a raging fire in the early hours of Tuesday, December 17, 2024, resulting in significant damages to parts of the school building and the destruction of several ballot boxes.
According to Alex King Nartey, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, the burnt building was being used as a temporary storage facility for ballot boxes related to the disputed Ablekuma North Constituency.
The fire was successfully extinguished and contained, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the school buildings due to the swift response and timely intervention of the Fire Service personnel who responded to the scene quickly after several distressing calls.
“Information we have gathered indicates that the school was used to store ballot boxes, and so that is why we are still here and the flames have been subdued. We salvaged all the buildings and were left with just one that we worked so hard to ensure that the fire did not reignite.
“Officers from Anyaa, Headquarters, and from Circle came to ensure that the situation was brought under control,” Alex King Nartey noted.
This incident has raised suspicions, following the fiercely contested election in the constituency between the NPP’s candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, and the NDC’s candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn.
MAG/AE
