Benin's Ambassador To Ghana Recalled

The Government of Benin has recalled its Ambassador to Ghana who was reported to have assaulted a worker of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Monsieur Fadeler’s recall follows a protest to the Benin government by Ghana’s Foreign Ministry after persistent reports by Joy FM on the plight of the ECG worker, who received treatment for injuries he sustained in the attack.

Monsieur Fadeler and his aides allegedly assaulted Mr. Ahiaku and his colleague both from ECG who had gone to his residence at Cantonments to reconnect the electricity. Mr. Ahiaku told Joy FM that his attackers tied him up and locked in a room at the ambassador’s residence.

His colleague however managed to escape the attack and reported to the Cantonments police station, which dispatched a team to rescue him. A police source told Joy FM that the case had been referred to the Foreign Affairs ministry for further investigations since it involved a diplomat.

Following persistent enquiries at the Foreign Ministry, a source told Joy FM that an investigation had been launched into the case. The Beninois Ambassador denied the charge of assault although Mr. Ahiaku showed the injuries he sustained in the attack and for which he was treated and discharged at the Police hospital.

Almost two months after the attack the Foreign Ministry said its investigations confirmed that Mr. Ahiaku had been assaulted. The deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Akwasi Osei-Agyei told Joy FM that the Benin government decided to recall the Ambassador after the ministry protested his conduct through Ghana’s Ambassador in Benin.

Monsieur Fadeler, who as investigations revealed, owed electricity bills in arrears, not only paid up his 11 million cedi bill but also paid 15 million cedis as compensation to the two ECG workers.

Mr. Ahiaku who had been on a six-week sick leave after the assault resumed work this week. He is however to report to the hospital every fortnight for a check-up. Mr Ahiaku was glad that the Ambassador had been recalled saying that he could have died at the Ambassador’s house had it not been for his colleague who made a report to the police.