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The Catholic Bishop of the Jasikan Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, has issued an urgent demand for justice in the aftermath of the violent assault on three Indian missionary priests in the Nkwanta South Municipality in the Oti Region.
The incident, which took place on December 11, 2024, has sparked criticism for the absence of arrests despite video proof identifying the assailants.
In an open letter dated December 30 to Ghana’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, Bishop Mante expressed deep concern with the investigation’s poor progress.
The priests, Fr. Robinson Melkis, Fr. Martin George, and Fr. Henry Jacob of the Franciscan Capuchin Order, were ambushed while refueling a hired bulldozer for a land development project.
Fr. Jacob suffered a broken eardrum as a result of the assault and was forced to travel to India for medical treatment.
According to reports, video evidence captures the young males responsible for the attack, but no arrests have been made.
Bishop Mante noted that this inaction has seriously undermined trust in the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to justice.
The Bishop praised the IGP’s prompt action in providing medical care for Fr. Jacob, first at the Police Hospital and then at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
However, he questioned why the assailants were still at large weeks later.
“We are appalled that to date, despite the clear video evidence, the executors of the assault are still walking free with no arrests made,” according to the letter.
Bishop Mante expressed concern that the priests’ status as Indian nationals was influencing the investigation’s timeline.
“Are we right to believe that since the victims of the unjustifiable beatings are of Indian nationality and not Ghanaian nationals, they cannot receive justice from the Ghana Police Service?” he posed.
He also warned of the potential diplomatic impact, saying that the delay in justice could undermine Ghana-India relations. “We wish to remind the IGP… of the disgraceful and possible sour relationships that could develop between India and Ghana if the culprits are not arrested and brought to justice,” according to the letter.
The Bishop’s letter also addressed the greater issue of political violence in Ghana, namely following the elections.
He branded the ongoing violence as a “disgraceful unwritten law” and advocated for methods to put an end to such attacks.
Bishop Mante emphasized the moral and ethical urgency for action by using Biblical scripture, “Our brothers’ blood is crying to God from the ground” (Genesis 4:10), as well as British statesman William E. Gladstone’s remarks, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Source:Classfmonline.com
