Assailants of Kyabobo Park Guards would face Justice - DCE assures

Hohoe, July 12, GNA - Mr Joseph Denteh, Nkwanta District Chief Executive on Tuesday assured staff of the Kyabobo National Park (KNP) that Government would investigate circumstances surrounding the death of two guards on June 11 this year. Mr Ntim Oborfo 46, and Mr Paul Nyame 34, Forest Guards were shot and killed by unidentified assailants during a boundary clearing exercise in the district. Mr Denteh gave the assurance at a durbar at Nkwanta dubbed 'martyrs day' in honour of the deceased.

He said although the justice delivery system in the country was slow, "Justice would be delivered at all cost." Mr Denteh said the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two guards were barbaric adding; " Security agencies were investigating the matter to apprehend and bring to justice perpetrators of the heinous crime."

He therefore, appealed to the people to provide any information available to the security agencies to arrest the culprits. The DCE pointed out that the assembly's resources for socio-economic development could not be diverted for peace keeping due to insecurity in the district. He said Government was determined to pursue the KNP project and warned that efforts would not be spared to arrest and prosecute saboteurs.

Mr Denteh commended staff of the project for their patience and hard work despite the threats of death, intimidation, the pain, stress and acrimony after the incident in the district. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr Bruku Sekyere, Nkwanta District Police Commander said so far 15 suspects, including Mr Vincent Yentumy, a retired civil servant had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He said the suspects had appeared before Courts in Ho and Hohoe respectively and were granted bail. DSP Sekyere appealed to the people to be patient and allow the police to investigate the incident thoroughly and prosecute the culprits.

Mr Luri Bahian Kanton, Park Manager commended stakeholders for their efforts to apprehend and punish the culprits of the barbaric act to serve as deterrent to others. Nana Awuku Kyaa Abby 1, Chairman of the Kyabobo Park Management Advisory Board enumerated the immense socio-economic benefits that would accrue to the area when the park was well developed, and asked the people to expose those determined to sabotage the programme. Meanwhile, staff of the park staged a two-hour demonstration demanding justice for the deceased and presented a petition to Mr Denteh, for the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, with copies to the National and Regional Security Councils (REGSEC). Some of the placards read, "Stop killing Wildlife staff, we are for development", "Families of the murdered victims deserve justice", "We need justice, expose killers".

A five-year (2002-2007) development programme being funded by the Netherlands government at a cost of three million Euros is being undertaken at the KNP, which covers an area of 220 square kilometres. The programme includes infrastructure development, provision of office and residential accommodation, roads, culverts and other basic amenities.

The Park is reputed to be the habitat for a rear butterfly specie called the "Kyabobo Lawrencia", the only specie in the world. Other attractions are three waterfalls, baboons, kobs, and buffalos.