The Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, Alhaj Dr. Mustapha Hamid, on behalf of the government, has presented cheques of 250 thousand Ghana Cedis to each of the seven bereaved families of persons who were shot dead as armed robbers at Manso Nkwanta in the Amansie West district of Ashanti region.
The total amount involved is one million 750 thousand Ghana Cedis in accordance with a recommendation by the seven member government Committee which investigated the incident.
The presentation took place at the Asawase in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of Ashanti on Thursday.
It will be re-called that the seven young men were killed on July 16, 2018 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 the victims for the unjust punishment.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the maiden National forum on peace and development in Zongos, disclosed that defendants of the victims will be duly compensated.
In fulfilment of that pledge at a ceremony at Asawase, the Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, Alhaj Dr. Mustapha Hamid presented Cheques, of 250 thousand Ghana Cedis to the bereaved families of each of the victims all totaling one million 750 thousand Ghana Cedis.
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 the Zongo youth to find something to do with their hands and respect their elders.
The Secretary to the Zongo Seven Committee, Alhaj Sheriff Musah thanked President Akufo-Addo for honouring his promise.
Akosua Frema Frempong has filed this report.
