Government has announced a GH¢50,000 cash donation to the bereaved families of victims of the Sayerano police shooting incident in the Western North region to support funeral arrangements.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, when he visited the community together with the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Sefwi Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and the Western North Regional Police Command.
The visit was aimed at commiserating with the bereaved families, engaging traditional leaders and residents, and assessing the situation following the shooting incident.
Addressing chiefs and community members, the Interior Minister said the government recognised the pain and difficulties facing the families who lost their loved ones and would provide financial support to assist with the funerals.
“President John Dramani Mahama said a cash donation of fifty thousand Ghana cedis will be given to the bereaved families to aid the funeral of the lost lives in the police shooting incident,” he stated.
The Minister also announced plans for the urgent construction of a police station in Sayerano, citing the growing population of the community and the need to strengthen security.
Muntaka added that “Government will, as a matter of urgency, build a police station, noting the large population of the community.”
According to him, the move is intended to improve security and ensure that residents have access to policing services within the community.
The Interior Minister further disclosed that qualified family members of victims of the shooting incident would be considered in the second batch of security service recruitment.
“Government will, in the second batch of the security recruitment, help any victim’s family member who qualifies.”
The announcement is expected to provide some relief to the affected families, particularly those who lost their main sources of livelihood in the incident.
Traditional leaders in Sayerano commended the government for the intervention and the support announced for the bereaved families.
They, however, appealed to the government to help transfer the two victims who sustained gunshot injuries to a bigger health facility for comprehensive medical assessment and treatment.
“We commend the government for the support. We are also appealing to the government to help take the two victims who sustained gun injuries to a bigger facility for proper check-up.”
The traditional leaders also raised concerns over the security situation in the community following the incident. They appealed to the Interior Minister to facilitate the return of police personnel to Sayerano, arguing that the absence of the police has heightened concerns over the safety of residents.
“We are also appealing to the Interior Minister to help bring back the police because the security of the community is at stake.”
The leaders said while residents appreciate the government’s engagement and support, restoring security in the community remains a major concern.
The Sayerano community continues to mourn those who lost their lives in the shooting incident, while the injured victims and bereaved families await further support.
The government has also assured the community of its commitment to addressing their concerns, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continue.
