Compensation for Victims of Gbi-Wegbe and Gbi Godenu in the Hohoe Municipality – Ministry of Interior

On Monday, November 2024, the Honourable Henry Quatey, Interior Minister, and the Honourable Peter Amewu, Member of Parliament for Hohoe, paid a courtesy visit to the chiefs and individuals affected by the police brutality incident that led to the loss of two lives.

The tragic event took place last year in Hohoe Gbi-Wegbe and Godenu.

According to the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, the proposed compensation was recommended for the following persons:

• Families of two deceased persons aged 31 years and 38 years
• Victims with high injuries and head injuries
• 34 persons whose motorbikes were burnt
• 6 persons whose vehicle windscreens were smashed
• 1 person whose tractor engine was partially burnt
• 10 persons whose properties were lost or damaged

Speaking with the Divisional Chief of Hohoe Godenu, Torgbe Osei III, who is among six persons whose vehicle windscreens were smashed, he was compensated with GH2,300.00 to cover the costs of the windscreens of his two Toyota Corolla vehicles and their installation.

“I was not home when the police entered my garage and vandalized two of my Toyota Corollas. I had the car repaired and even provided them with an estimate of the damages. However, I have now heard they are offering me just GH2,300.00 as compensation. I consider this amount to be an insult.”

Togbe Osei III, who is currently not in Hohoe, informed the secretary of the committee that he will not accept the compensation amount.

Togbe Osei III also addressed the situation concerning those who lost their motorcycles in the incident.

“A total of 46 motorbikes were burned, but the government is only compensating for 34 of them. Some of the motorbikes were valued at GH35,000.00, yet the victims are being offered a total of GH11,000.00 in compensation, which they find unsatisfactory.”

Background of the Incident

The police chased a young man from Kole Nu on a motorbike. During the pursuit at Godenu, the police vehicle knocked a child into a gutter.

The child, who was from Alavanyo, was quickly rushed to Ho Teaching Hospital (Trafalgar) for treatment.

Part of the vehicle fell into the gutter, and its horn started sounding as it caught fire. The police later claimed that locals from Godenu had set the car on fire.

This was what led to the subsequent assault and vandalism by the police.

The police beat people, destroyed vehicles, and raided stores, vandalizing and burning items. They also assaulted individuals returning from the farm, collected 46 motorbikes, and set them on fire.

“When I returned to town the following day, I called the divisional commander to assess the damage. Yet today, the police are claiming they haven’t committed any crimes,” Togbe Osei III.

Hon Peter Amewu came to my house and saw the damages caused to the two Toyota Corollas.

The compensation list overlooked several damages, including the bag containing a sum of money belonging to Togbe Osei’s wife, which was in his car.

Additionally, a room that was set on fire and a taxi that was destroyed were both excluded from the compensation.

Togbe Osei III will seek redress in the court.