PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY ASHANTI REGION COUNCIL OF ZONGO  CHIEFS ON THE SHOOTING OF SEVEN  PERSONS ALLEGED TO BE ARMED ROBBERS BY THE POLICE IN ASHANTI REGION ON 20TH JULY, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen of the press.

The Ashanti Region Council of Zongo Chiefs have learnt with shock the unfortunate shooting of seven persons near Manso Nkwanta in Amansie West District of the  Ashanti Region.

The Ashanti Region Council of Zongo Chiefs wish to sincerely send their heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families, relatives, friends of the victims, and to the Zongo community in general.

We members of the Council of Zongo Chiefs Kumasi know the deceased persons as persons of honour and integrity. As members of the Zongo Community of Kumasi they were not known to be people of questionable character.

We are of the conviction  that much as the police and  well meaning  Ghanaians all unanimously agree and endorse the stand  that mob action per se ,against suspects should not be tolerated, condemnable and unacceptable in the 21st century. The Ghana Police attitude of shoot to kill approach is equally condemnable and unacceptable.

That not withstanding it is not enough to conclude that they were innocent of the charge the Police have placed on them. I am therefore on behalf of the Council of Zongo Chiefs calling for an independent body to investigate this case and come out with the truth.

I also appeal to Government to issues License to private investigators in this country to handle cases of this kind.

In the meantime, I am calling on the Elders, family members of the deceased, friends’ relatives and the youth of the Zongo Community to remain calm, while Government takes steps to speedily work at resolving the empass. Thank you.

On behalf of the Ashanti Region Council of Zongo Chiefs.

 

Naba Musah Akambonga

President Council of Zongo Chiefs Kumasi