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Families of Ghanaians killed in “Gambia Massacre” threaten to resurrect case at ECOWAS court
Family members of the 44 Ghanaians who were murdered in The Gambia in 2005 and the sole survivor, Martin Kyere, have appealed to the government to take meaningful steps to ensure justice and pay compensation to them.
They believed that the government‘s intervention to lead the campaign would go a long way to ensure that justice prevailed in the matter.
The Gambian government had set up the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Committee (TRRC) to investigate the massacre which happened under the rule of former president, Yahya Jammeh.
The spokesperson of the victims’ families, the survivor, Mr Kyere, expressed concern about the failure of the government for not doing much to ensure justice as well as payment of compensation to them over the years.
He said their call was under the auspices of Jammeh2Justice Ghana Campaign led by Mr William Nyarko, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) and Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).
Mr Kyere recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was then the Foreign Affairs Minister when the killings occurred in July 2005, actually led a high-powered government delegation to The Gambia barely two weeks after the first eight bodies were found in the Brufut Forest.
Similarly, former President John Dramani Mahama, was the Vice President of the Republic when the NDC administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Gambia in 2009 to accept a 5,000 US dollars donation from The Gambia, which was to be given to the families to help with the burial expenses of the victims, out of which more than half of the amount was allegedly misappropriated.
“However, to date, no one has said a word about the need to ensure justice and compensation to the victims’ families and survivors”, though there had been confessions made by three Gambian soldiers in July 2019 to the TRRC.
“We, therefore, call on the government to commit to ensuring justice and compensation to the victims’ families and survivors of the July 22 massacre of our fellow Ghanaians in The Gambia”, he said.
He stated “if we do not see justice soon from The Gambia and Ghana, we will be forced to take the case to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice”.
Mr Kyere indicated that, in October 2019, through the help of the Jammeh2Justice Ghana Coalition, which is spearheading the campaign to bring Mr Jammeh to book and compensation paid, a letter was taken to the TRRC that they qualified as victims under the TRRC Act 2017, and “that we have been waiting to appear before the Commission to have our case heard, to which the TRRC agreed”.
“But as I speak, the TRRC has not officially responded to our request, and we urge the Gambia TRRC to, as a matter of urgency, provide us with the requested information and let us have our day before the TRRC”, Mr Kyere said.
He called on the TRRC to request for a copy of the UN and ECOWAS fact-finding report about the July 2005 massacre which has never been made public.
From Kingssley E. Hope, Kumasi
FOR patrons at a special thanksgiving concert held in honour of parishioners, benefactors and friends at the St. Monica Catholic Rectory at Fan Milk, Accra, Rev. Fr Bonaventure Kweku Quaidoo will continue to be seen as a man of many parts.
Usually seen dressed resplendently in his cassock, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure is known by the faithful as a preacher of the word despite his background in music.
But on this auspicious occasion, the Rector, Rev. Fr Bonaventure Kweku Quaidoo, assumed the role of a conductor of the Central Ceremonial Band of the Ghana Police Service.
In front of the band wielding the conductor’s baton, Rev. Fr Bonaventure conducted the band as they gave a rendition of some of the spiritual hymns of the faithful, thrilling the audience in the event under the theme “An Evening of the Performing Arts in Thanksgiving to Beloved Parishioners, Benefactors and Friends.”
It was attended by the clergy, parishioners and invited guests for an evening that blended sacred reflection with artistic performance.
The Chaplain-General of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Very Rev. Fr George Arthur, opened the programme with prayer, while the closing benediction was given by Very Rev. Fr. Isaac Ebo Blay, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Society.
A highlight of the evening was a classical performance by Dr Kyoung Ok Kim of the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts, who reinterpreted Ghanaian melodies to the delight of the audience.
Ordained in 1990, Rev. Fr Quaidoo is a trained musician and former member of the National Symphony Orchestra. Over the past 35 years, he has served in the dioceses of Tamale, Damongo and Accra, integrating music into his pastoral ministry.
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THE 41st Farmers’ Day was held last Friday in the Volta Region, honouring outstanding farmers that contributed immensely in the sustenance of the country’s food basket.
This year’s celebration was themed “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future”, reflecting the government’s emphasis on strengthening food systems, promoting local consumption, and building long-term resilience in the agricultural sector.
It was attended by the President, John Dramani Mahama, Minister of Agriculture, Mr Ernest Opoku, Regional Ministers and Paramount Chief of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV.
The week-long observance began on December 1, at the Ho Sports Stadium with the official opening of the 2025 National Agricultural Fair.
An 82 year-old farmer, Mr Opanin Abraham Kwaku Adusei from Kwawu Odumase in the Afram Plains District of the Eastern Region, was adjudged the 2025 National Best Farmer.
President Mahama commended the farmers for their dedication and pivotal role in advancing the country’s agricultural sector.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, also attributed the current food glut to innovation and resilience of farmers.
Established in 1985, Farmers’ Day has grown into one of Ghana’s most significant national events—celebrating the enduring contributions of farmers and fishers to the nation’s development and economic stability.
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