The family of one of the victims of the Ayawaso West Wuogon shooting, Ishau Yaro, has denied media reports that the Ayawaso West Wuogon MP, Madam Lydia Alhassan made an alleged donation of GHC5,000 to the former following the MP’s visit to him at the 37 military hospital.

The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Ms Lydia Alhassan, on Wednesday, 6 February 2019, visited the members of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who suffered gunshot wounds during the 31 January 2019 by-election which she won.

Reports say she presented an undisclosed amount of cash to the victims and prayed for their speedy recovery.

But a Press Statement issued on behalf of the victim by Spokesperson of the family, Ibrahim Musa said they’ve crosschecked with all persons officially assigned to take care of their son at the hospital and can authoritatively report that no donation whatsoever has been made to Yaro who has been hospitalized since the shooting incident.

“… we have not received any donation from Madam Lydia Alhassan or the NPP, and we do not intend to accept any donation from her. If indeed she has made any such donation as reported, we humbly urge her to call whoever she gave the money to return it. Our preoccupation is to seek justice for our innocent brother but not to accept donations from persons who orchestrated attacks on him.” the statement said.

The family in its statement contended that they’re rather indebted to the executives of the NDC for the special interest they have so far shown in Ishau Yaro’s unfortunate case.

“They have so far paid the medical expenses of our brother and we are grateful for that.” the statement noted.



Below is the full statement

RE: LYDIA ALHASSAN DONATES 5K TO AYAWASO WEST WUOGON SHOOTING VICTIM

Our attention has been drawn to media reports suggesting that Madam Lydia Alhassan donated GHC5,000 for the upkeep of victims of the January 31, 2019 shooting incident by government sponsored brigands at Ayawaso West Wuogon. While it cannot be gainsaid that Madam Lydia Alhassan and some operatives of the New Patriotic Party indeed visited our son, Ishau Yaro, at the 37 military hospital, we are unware of any donation either from her, her assigns or any official of government either to Ishau himself, any member of our family with him at the hospital or assigns.

For the avoidance of doubt, we have crosschecked with all persons officially assigned to take care of our son at the hospital and, we can authoritatively say, without any scintilla of contradiction, that no donation came to us from the outfit of Madam Lydia Alhassan. Indeed, if there was such donation for the upkeep of Ishau Yaro, it would have gone to the Okaikoi Central Treasurer of the National Democratic Congress who has been the sole receiver of funds from National, regional and constituency executives of the NDC for upkeep of our brother.

Our brother, Ishau Yaro is on the verge of losing one of his legs as a result of deliberate firing of guns by hooded armed thugs of the NPP. This heinous and un-Islamic conduct was perpetuated with the sole aim of aiding Madam Lydia Alhassan to realize her dream of becoming a Member of Parliament. Our brother is in explicably pains, and we will aggravate his condition if we accept donation from the very person who benefitted from the pains unjustifiably inflicted on our brother.

We are indebted to the executives of the NDC for the special interest they have so far shown in Ishau Yaro’s case. They have so far paid the medical expenses of our brother and we are grateful for that. By way of emphasis, we have not received any donation from Madam Lydia Alhassan or the NPP, and we do not intend to accept any donation from her. If indeed she has made any such donation as reported, we humbly urge her to call whoever she gave the money to return it. Our preoccupation is to seek justice for our innocent brother but not to accept donations from persons who orchestrated attacks on him.

Signed
IBRAHIM MUSA
(Spokesperson for Ishau Yaro’s family)
0244655016