The Association of Families of the 44 Ghanaians unlawfully killed in The Gambia in 2005 has renewed calls for justice and compensation, expressing frustration over two decades of government inaction.
At a press conference on Tuesday, July 22, to mark the 20th anniversary of the killings, the group decried the lack of accountability in what remains one of Ghana’s most tragic diplomatic incidents.
Spokesperson Emmanuel Gershon Oduro-Mensah expressed disappointment at the silence from both Ghanaian and Gambian authorities.
“Despite the unlawful and tragic nature of the killings, justice has still not been served. We are yet to see any real accountability or reparations,” he lamented.
He urged the governments of Ghana and The Gambia to take immediate steps to address the long-standing demands of the bereaved families.
“We call on the governments of Ghana and The Gambia to promptly ensure justice and reparations for the families of the victims. This must include a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the events that led to the killings, as well as adequate compensation for the bereaved families,” he said.
Oduro-Mensah also appealed to the international community for support.
“We strongly urge the international community to support our demand for justice and accountability regarding this tragic incident,” he added.
The victims—believed to be migrants—were reportedly arrested and executed by Gambian security forces during the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh.
The killings sparked global outrage, and though The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission has issued recommendations, the families say little has been done to implement them.
