The Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, Alhaj Dr. Mustapha Hamid has presented cheques for GH¢250,000 each to families of the seven persons who were mistakenly shot to death for being armed robbers at Manso Nkwanta in the Amansie West district of Ashanti Region.
This is in accordance with a recommendation by the seven member government Committee which investigated the incident.
The total amount involved is GH¢1.75 million.
The presentation took place at Asawase in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region Thursday.
It will be recalled that the seven young men were killed on July 16, last year by a team of policemen deployed by the Ashanti Regional Police Command near Manso Nkwanta in the Amansie West District.
They are Abdul Razak Sulley, Oliver Konlan, Abdul-Hannan Basiru, Musah Seidu, Mohammed Bashir Musah, Mohammed Kamil and Baach Bont. Following agitations raising doubts about claims by the police that the victims were armed robbers who engaged them in fire exchange, the government set up a fact finding Committee to look into the matter and eventually exonerated all the seven of any criminal offences.
The Committee therefore recommended that the state compensates families of the victims.
President Akufo-Addo at the maiden National forum on peace and development in Zongos, disclosed that families of the victims will be duly compensated.
In fulfilment of that pledge, the Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, Alhaj Dr. Mustapha Hamid at a ceremony at Asawase presented Cheques of ¢250,000 to the bereaved families of each of the victims.
Alhaj Dr. Hamid noted that the compensation is not a payment for life but it is in accordance with Islamic customs.
He also advised the Zongo youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to score political points.
The Asokore Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaj Alidu Seidu urged Zongo youth to engage themselves productively and respect their elders.
The Secretary to the Zongo Seven Committee, Alhaj Sheriff Musah thanked President Akufo-Addo for honouring his promise.
