Residents of Wa in the Upper West Region last Saturday staged a peaceful demonstration to express their displeasure over the alleged killings of some 13 people including two security guards over the last three years in the Wa Municipality.
The protestors clad in red attire and carrying placards with the descriptions, “We have nowhere to go, Ghana is all we have, every life matters, we want justice, residents are living in fear, we need answers from authorities,” among others.
Presenting a petition to the Upper West Regional Coordinating Director, Peter Maala, the Convener, Morris Banaamwine, indicated that the protest was aimed at drawing the attention of the government to the serial killings in the Wa Township and to demand swift action from the authorities to help restore peace and hope among residents. “so many lives have been lost and we have not seen anything, is it because we are poor, if the authorities do not react on the situation, we will fight for our self, we believe and trust in the law but the law is failing us, enough is enough,” he said.
According to him, the residents were agitated by the inaction and silence of the security services regarding these murders which had left residents living in fear.
“We are calling on the government to as a matter of urgency look into this matter and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted in order to bring peace among the people of Wa and its environments to go about their daily activities without any fear that their lives are not safe.”
Mr Banaamwine said when the killings started in 2022, a committee was set up by the former Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, and authorities from the security services to investigate the incident in detail, but has since not made to the public any findings.
“A situation that led or has seen the murder of about 13 people would be allowed to resurface or show its ugly head again, we are not by this pointing accusing fingers at the authorities or duty-bearers who are responsible for the safety of citizens but just wondering why this wicked act is still perpetuated against innocent civilians after we were made to believe that measures were been done to stop this distasteful act.”
He therefore called on the government to form a committee with the security personnel including the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces to spearhead the investigation of the serial killings.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Wa Central, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, announced a GH¢100,000 bounty for anyone who provides information for the arrest of those responsible for the recent killings in Wa.
The MP also expressed disappointment over the prolonged silence of the police regarding the investigation of the serial killings in Wa, highlighting the impact the situation has had on the people of Wa.