The Jammeh2Justice Ghana Coalition (J2J Ghana) has petitioned the government of Ghana to, as a matter of urgency, initiate discussions with The Gambian government regarding the payment of compensation to the West African migrants, including more than 44 Ghanaians who were unlawfully killed in The Gambia in 2005.
The move follows recommendations by the Gambia Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) to pay the sum of 32,400,000m Dalasi, the equivalent of about $600,000 as compensation to the victims of the 2005 massacre.
The TRRC made the recommendation, among others, following the establishment that ex-President Yahya Jammeh and 12 others under his command and control were responsible for the unlawful killing, torture and enforced disappearances of over 50 West African migrants.
The Gambian government on May 25, 2022 accepted the recommendations of the TRRC, including the payment of compensation of $600,000 as compensation to the victims’ families and survivors.
According to a white paper by The Gambian government, these reparations and payments as recommended by the TRRC were to be paid as soon as possible, through the respective governments of the countries of origin of the victims.
But the Jammeh2Justice Ghana Coalition, which is in constant touch with the victims’ families and survivors, in a statement on Monday July 18, 2022, signed by Mr. William Nyarko, the Project Coordinator of Jammeh2Justice Ghana Coalition, noted that since the release of the White paper, the government of Ghana, which is mandated to receive the money for subsequent payment to victims’ families and survivors as expected, has not made any contact with the victims’ families and survivors.
Mr. William Nyarko added that the Ghana government has not taken any action by way of publicly providing information about the steps it is taking to ensure The Gambian government pays the reparations.
The Jammeh2Justice has regretted the alleged inaction of the government of Ghana and urged it to, as a matter of urgency, contact the victims’ families and survivors, regarding the payment of the compensation.
The Ghana Coalition, which has since remained in contact with the victims’ families and survivors, assured of its readiness to assist the government in such engagement.
The group also reiterated its suggestion that the amount of about $600,000 for 67 victims promised by The Gambian government is woefully inadequate and that the said amount, if paid, should be considered as a first payment towards the payment of additional and adequate compensation to the victims’ families and survivors.
As a result, the J2J Ghana has encouraged the Ghana government to consider further negotiations with the government of The Gambia to secure additional and adequate financial support for the survivors and victims.
