The Catholic Diocese of Jasikan has issued an open letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, calling for immediate action and justice in the case of three Catholic priests alleged to have been assaulted at Nkwanta in the Oti Region, earlier this month.
The letter, dated December 30, 2024 and signed by the Catholic Bishop of Jasikan, Gabriel A. A. Mante stated that “we, the Bishop, the Clergy, the Religious, and Lay Faithful, submit this open letter to question the delay of justice on the matter mentioned above.”
Background
The letter recalled that on December 11, 2024, three Catholic priests (Fathers Robinson Melkis, Martin George, and Henry Jacob) of the Franciscan Capuchin Order of Indian nationality stationed at Kpassa in the St. Michael Parish in the Nkwanta North District were unjustifiably and brutally assaulted at a fuel station in the Nkwanta South Municipality.
It observed that the priests were on their way to Chaiso to bulldoze a land they had acquired for the construction of a Formation House. They had hired and paid GH¢9,700.00 (Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred Ghana Cedis) for the bulldozer from the Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly for the purpose.
While fueling the bulldozer at the fuel station, they were physically assaulted by some young men who had taken the Law into their own hands.
The result of the brutal assault is that one of the priests, Fr. Henry Jacob broke his left eardrum and is currently back in his home country India for further medical care. He was referred to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and upon further examination on December 15, 2024 , it was discovered that his left eardrum was broken as a result of the assault.
The letter acknowledged that it appreciates that some measures were taken by the IGP to seek medical help for Fr Henry Jacob, however it is appalled that to date the perpetrators of the assault have not been arrested and prosecuted.
It recalled that the IGP on December 13 acted swiftly by bringing Fr. Henry Jacob to the Police Hospital in Accra for medical attention because he had lost his sense of hearing in the left ear.
Displeasure
“We are, however, appalled that to date, despite the clear video evidence, the executors of the assault are still walking free with no arrests made” the letter further emphasised.
The letter also questioned “whether the Ghana Police, noted for its efficient detective machinery to be able to investigate and arrest people involved in complicated crime cases is now powerless in the present case?”
“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 by arresting the executors of this heinous crime?” it querried.
Again the letter pointed out that “is it possible that the IGP who swiftly responded to the unacceptable crime by offering initial health care to the priest has suddenly forgotten this gross injustice meted out to the three priests?”
Justice
The letter made references to Deuteronomy 16: 19 in the Holy Bible and underscored the desire of the Jasikan Catholic Diocese for justice.
“We stand to be corrected if the Ghana Police Service, headed by the IGP is not aware of the disgraceful and possible sour relationships that could develop between India and the Ghana governments if the culprits are not arrested and brought to justice?” it cautioned.
It reminded the IGP who has the power to cause the arrest of the perpetrators of this “odious crime that he seems to be delaying the process” and called for immediate justice. The letter quoted Genesis 4:10 and William E. Gladstone's popular saying that “justice delayed is justice denied”, to buttress the argument.
End violence
The letter further referred the police and other security agencies to its press release dated December 12, 2024, in which the Jasikan Catholic Diocese demanded that successive governments and election winning parties put effective mechanisms in place to check and bring an end to violence and needless attacks on citizens and legal residents after elections.
“This canker seems to be unfortunately becoming a disgraceful unwritten Law in Ghana. Our thoughts and prayerful support are with the victims, their families and the entire Catholic community in Ghana. May God bring healing, comfort, and peace to all those affected” it added.
