GHC 250K COMPENSATION FOR EACH VICTIM OF MANSO NKWANTA POLICE SHOOTING

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has announced a total package of one million, 750 thousand Ghana Cedis in compensation for dependents of all the seven men shot and killed by police personnel near Manso Nkwanta in the then Amansie West district of the Ashanti region last year. The amount translates into 250 thousand Ghana Cedis for each of the bereaved families. President Akufo-Addo, announced this in Kumasi today, Tue Jan. 8 at the maiden Zongo for Peace and Development Conference.

In July last year, a team of police personnel from Kumasi went to the then Amansie West  now Amansie South district on an operation during which they shot and killed seven young men.

 At a new Press briefing later in the day, the Police narrated their side of circumstances that led to the killing of the men who were residents of Asawase in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti region and insisted that the victims, who all died on the spot, were armed robbers who engaged the police in exchange of fire leading to their death.Their bodies were displayed at the Regional Police headquarters and later sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital pending investigation. 

However, residents of Asawase, led by the Municipal Chief Executives and some youth and Muslim leaders challenged the Police command that the victims were innocent of the crimes leveled against them. The situation led to heightened tension culminating in a hostile relationship between the police and Asawase residents.

 Later, a fact-finding committee constituted by government in relation to unravel circumstances of the killings exonerated all the victims and therefore recommended the interdiction and prosecution of 21 police personnel directly connected with the unfortunate incident. 

Since then, the bereaved families have been calling for compensation for the victims. Addressing Muslim and Zongo community leaders and residents in Kumasi, President Akufo-Addo, made his first public pronouncement on the incident. 

Much to expectation of the people who included some bereaved relatives of the victims, President Akufo-Addo said the State accepts full responsibility of the murder allegedly committed by public officers and that the state has found a compensation package for the dependents.

The President’s announcement of the compensation package was met with appellation and cheers from the crowd mostly the women in appreciation for the steps being taken by government to ensure justice for the murdered Zongo youth. 

President Akufo-Addo said the compensation is in line with the 'State accepting responsibility for the killing of the seven compatriot by public officers'.

In separate interviews, Abubakar Alhassan, a relative of one of the victims, said even though government has shown goodwill in the matter, the family would wait until final determination of the prosecution at the court.

 An uncle of another victim of the police shooting, Adam Malik, narrated how his nephew met his untimely death. According to him, management of the compensation money for late 28-year old nephew, who was a bachelor and without a child, is to be determined by the family.