The Ghanaian Minaret

Kumasi – President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced a GH¢ 1.7 million compensation package for the families of the seven young men in Asawase in the Ashanti Region, who were wrongfully shot and killed by the police in 2017.

President Akufo-Addo, who was addressing a conference in the Ashanti Region on the development of Zongo communities said he will ensure that justice is served to the families of the deceased.

According to him, processes are underway to prosecute the police officers who are guilty of the incident.

“I cannot come to Kumasi and not revisit the unfinished business of the death of seven of our compatriots at the hands of some police personnel last year. Based on the recommendations of the committee, I asked the IGP to interdict the police personnel involved.

“Processes have been initiated that will result in the prosecution of any police person allegedly found to have acted outside the law”, Mr Akufo-Addo said.

“I am happy also to announce to you that a compensation package totalling GHS 1.75 million, that is 250,000 for each of the seven families, is to be paid to the dependents of the deceased. Even though money cannot replace the life of a human being, it is our way of accepting the responsibility of the state in this unfortunate affair,” he added.

The seven-member government committee tasked to investigate the killing at Manso Nkwanta in November 2018 found no evidence to corroborate the claim of the police the seven persons were armed robbers.

The killings on July 7, 2018, triggered outrage and anger in the Zango communities in Kumasi with residents insisting on the innocence of the seven.

The was some agitation within the community due to the delay in the release of the report.

Some 21 police officers found to be involved in the killings were recommended for interdiction by the Police administration according to a Ministry of Information statement.

“The twenty-one (21) police personnel involved in the incident who have been found to be the principal suspects should be interdicted by the Police administration and be subjected to formal police criminal investigation.”

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo at the conference condemned persons he said were taking advantage of the situation to instigate violence and disturb the peace within Zongo communities.

He said perceptions of violence against persons living in the Zangos are false, stressing his age-long relationship with neighbours around his Nima residence.

He said the trait he observes among persons in the Zongos is their loyalty to each other.

“I live in Nima, and I refuse to accept that anti-peace, violent tag associated with residents of Zangos. It is not and cannot be true. I have lived at peace with my neighbours in Nima for decades,” he added.