$14,000 tag on Ghanaians in Libyan morgue

The bodies of four Ghanaians executed in Libya in 2008 for various offences are being kept in a mortuary in Libya because the government of Ghana has not paid a repatriation fee of 3,500 US dollars on each of the bodies.

Mr Jeff Ashley, Chief Executive of the Africa Migration and Research Foundation, an NGO, who disclosed this, has appealed to the government to negotiate the repatriation of the four bodies to Ghana for a decent burial.

He said Charles Ansah and Asare Bediako were executed on January 22, 2008 while John Kojo Blankson and Samuel Aryeetey were killed in February 16, 2008 for allegedly murdering a Libyan and a Senegalese in 1995 and 1998, respectively.

Mr Ashley, who made the appeal on Thursday, said the foundation and the families of the four had made several unsuccessful efforts to get the bodies home for burial but to no avail.

He said during the last administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told them the repatriation of the bodies would cost the nation $3,500 US dollars each.

Mr Ashley said except for John Kojo Blankson whose family paid, the others could not raise the amount.

He said even with the payment of the money the ministry reneged on its promise and the family had to collect the money back.

Asked what the families want to do with the bodies, Mr Ashley said it was important the victims were given befitting burial as tradition demands in Ghana.

Mr Ashley also urged the government to come to the aid of six children left behind by Asare Bediako, John Kojo Blankson and Samuel Aryeetey.

Meanwhile, Mr Ashley said another Ghanaian Kankam, who is known in Libya as Mohamoud Mustafa Abubakar, is still being held in jail for allegedly killing a Ghanaian.

This is in spite of the fact that the family of the deceased gave a reprieve which was communicated to the Libyan government through Ghana's mission in Libya last year.

Kankam was said to have murdered one Isaac Kofi Yeboah in Libya based on which he was put before court and found guilty.

Under the laws of Libya, when one is found guilty of murder, he is sentenced to death by execution and it is only, the families of the deceased who can offer a reprieve.

Mr Ashley said the family of Kankam is appealing to the government to go to the aid of Kankam because his-life was in grave danger in Libya.

All efforts to contact the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, on his cell phone to comment on the issues proved futile.