Victims of a Foase shooting will be buried in December

A seven-member committee set up to oversee the implementation of recommendations by a team investigating an alleged police shootings on Foase in the Ashanti region proposes a joint burial ceremony for the victims.

Four people, all men, died when police allegedly opened fire on a group of residents protesting against the transfer of Foase to Twedie, the capital of Atwima Kwanwoma district.

The deceased were identified as Kwaku, Prince Boateng, Joseph Appau and Dominic Addai.

Although the government has begun to implement the recommendations of an independent investigation, their bodies remain at the morgue.

The committee mustconsult the Attorney General's Office to determine the appropriate amount of compensation for dependents of deceased and injured persons.

The Ministry of National Security is about to reimburse the medical expenses of the victims at GHS108.58 cedis. The committee, among other things, will also ensure the transfer of the district capital to Twedie.

At its meeting on Monday, the committee proposed three dates – December 8, 13 and 15 – for the burial of all the deceased.

This visit would be preceded by a visit to the morgue next Monday to inspect the corpses.

The National Peace Council has begun consultations with affected families before a meeting with the Implementation Committee on Tuesday.

Reverend Nuh Ben Abubakar is regional chairman of the Peace Council for the Ashanti region.

"The Appointment Committee met yesterday [Monday] and they made a decision. They suggested three dates for interment and funeral. They have planned an interfaith service for all. And the four would be buried together in the same area and the funeral would be held in the afternoon, "said the very reverend Abubakar.

The Peace Council believes that the organization of funerals worthy of the dead could pave the way for the necessary peace between the two communities.

"In Ashanti, when a family member dies, the great prerogative of the family is to ensure the burial of the dead and it must be buried properly.This is why we want to give priority When people are buried peacefully, the rest can follow. "