Asawase: 7 killed by Ashanti Police were innocent – Government
The committee that was put together by government to investigate the shooting of some seven people at Manso-Nkwanta in Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region has concluded that there is no basis to believe the victims were armed robbers as was claimed by the Police.
The government has, therefore, decided that: “The 21 police personnel involved in the incident who have been found to be the principal suspects, be interdicted by the police administration and be subjected to formal police criminal investigation into the matter”.
The government, in consultation with the families and community leaders, will provide support for the dependents of the seven innocent men who were killed.
This was contained in a press release signed by Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, which was dated Sunday, 18 November 2018.
The government took the decision after a five-member committee conducted a probe into the incident and subsequently submitted its report to the government.
The members of the committee are Justice Obeng Diawuo, Justice of the High Court; Rt. Rev. Prof. Osei-Safo Kantanka, Pastor, Methodist Church; Sheik Ahmed Seidu, Executive Secretary at the Office of the Ashanti Regional Chief Imam; Mr David Adu-Osei, Ashanti Regional BNI Commander; and Mrs. Emelia Ayebenu Botchway, Ag. Ashanti Regional Coordinating Director.
Read the full statement below
STATEMENT ON SHOOTING INCIDENT AT MANSO
NKWANTA IN THE AMANSIE WEST DISTRICT
Following a shooting incident at Manso-Nkwanta within the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region on July 17, 2018 resulting in the death of seven (7) persons, Government established a five (5) Member fact-finding committee to look into the matter.
1) The membership of the fact-finding committee was as follows:
a) Justice Obeng Diawuo – Justice of the High Court
b) Rt. Rev. Prof. Osei-Safo Kantanka – Pastor Methodist Bishop
c) Sheik Ahmed Siedu – Executive Secretary, Office of the Ashanti
Regional Chief Imam
d) Mr. David Adu-Osei – Ashanti Regional BNI Commander
e) Mrs. Emelia Ayebenu Botchway – Ag. Ashanti Regional Coordinating Director
2) The committee has since completed its work and submitted its report to Government.
3) According to the report, there were no facts before the committee to establish that the deceased persons were armed robbers who engaged in exchange of fire with the Police.
4) Government upon a careful study of the report, has decided as follows;
a) the twenty-one (21) police personnel involved in the incident who have been found to be the principal suspects be interdicted by the Police administration and be subjected to formal police criminal investigation into the matter.
b) in the interim, Government in consultation with the families and community leaders will provide support for dependents of the deceased persons.
5) Government assures the general public that due process will be followed in the pursuit of justice and calls for continued calm and patience pending a conclusive determination of the matter.
KOJO OPPONG NKRUMAH
Information Minister
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
