Kasoa Murder: Family of slain soldier speaks

The family of Lance Corporal Michael Danso, the soldier who was murdered in Kasoa over a land dispute, has shared its sentiments following the demise of their relative.

In a statement available to GhanaWeb, the family indicated that the demise of Danso whose diligence and exploits are highly appreciated by his colleagues and others close to him, was saddening.

The family expressed frustration that, despite many complaints, law enforcement agencies have failed to stop land guards from hurting people in land disputes.

They called on the Ghana Police Service, the Attorney General's office, and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that persons responsible for the crime, including Benlord Ababio and his associates, are dealt with drastically to atone for the blood of the deceased.

"Is this what such a person, serving his country so dutifully, deserves? Justice must come quickly. As a deterrent for future crimes, and as a less idealistic but more pragmatic method of crime prevention... all parties, that is, the investigative and prosecutorial team of the Ghana Police Service, our respected court system, the Attorney General's office, and even the penitentiaries where these criminals are incarcerated, should make sure that we atone for every drop of Michael's blood.

"By ensuring that alleged slaughter-happy thugs like Benlord Ababio are subjected to, not just the full rigours of the law, but also the expeditious delivery of it, so that the exhibition of such barbaric behaviour will never be occasioned again here, or anywhere in Ghana," portions of the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has commenced an investigation into the case, with one of the main suspects, Benlord Ababio, having been interrogated for further information.

Read the full statement below:

REMARKS BY FAMILY OF LANCE CORPORAL MICHAEL DANSO AT A POURING OF LIBATION EVENT TO MARK ONE WEEK OF HIS KILLING

We welcome you all and thank you for coming to join the family of the late Lance Corporal Michael Danso, as we embark on the solemn and customary practice of releasing his soul that, we believe, still hovers at the scene of the killing of the young soldier.

It will be recalled that on Wednesday 1st May, 2024, the Ghana Armed Forces, through their Department of Public Relations, issued a statement regrettably announcing the tragic murder of one of their soldiers, on Tuesday, 30th April, 2024, in an unprovoked attack by one Benlord Ababio, a land guard who according to residents of the area have been terrorizing land owners of the area. Corporal (L/Cpl) Omar Abdul Rahman owned a half plot of land which was in dispute at Millennium City, for which the Millennium City Police, informed all parties to stay off the land until the issue was resolved. Allegedly L/Cpl Omar was informed some people were working on the land.

Accompanied by two of his colleagues L/Cpl Danso Michael (Deceased) and L/Cpl Ametus Matthew, they visited the land and confirmed the information. and proceeded to the Millennium City Police Station to report the issue.

Whilst at the Police Station, the acclaimed owner of the land arrived with 2 others also believed to be land guards, and started firing at the deceased soldier, thereby killing him. The dizzying levels of devastation that this shocking murder has caused the family has been unimaginable.

Despite a couple of false news reports that the suspect is a Staff of the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry has been quick to tell the world through a statement on May 1st, this year, that the alleged shooter is not a staff of the Ministry of National Security.

Additionally, traditional leaders in Gomoa Nyanyano, the traditional authority under whose jurisdiction Kasoa, Millennium City falls, have in a press conference by the Ankobeahene Nana Ayikoi I and the Stool Secretary, Zaccheus Addy, denounced the suspect as not a Chief of the area. So, Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, who is Benlord Ababio? The family have come to know, through some residents, who have boldly come out to speak, and whose statements are already in the public domain, that this man is a popular land guard in the area, whose alleged area of expertise is to use thuggery, mob action, violence and threats of violence including death to unleash unimaginable heights of terror on helpless victims of his land grabbing expedition.

He is mentioned to be in the service of one Kwasi Alhaji, whose disposition in the area, it is alleged, remains as nebulous as the number of victims who have fallen prey to their alleged predatory activities, and who in one of the testimonies, has claimed himself a good friend of the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akufo Dampare.

Indeed, some of these residents have bemoaned countless situations and instances where it is alleged that complaints lodged with the Police on one activity or the other, have seen no proper redress. Residents claim, that such seeming untouchable behaviour is clearly the reason the suspect could be so emboldened to allegedly go to a police station armed, shoot and kill a uniformed person of the respected and world acclaimed Ghana Armed Forces, at the premises of a District Police Headquarters; and no one said anything? Where does he get his powers from? Who are or Who is behind him?

Ladies and Gentlemen, beyond mourning our beloved kith and kin and calling on all parties involved in the delivery of justice to sit up, be professional and quick with justice delivery, the family wants to use his death to address the broader issue of the menace of landguards that is extremely prevalent in the area and the systemic issues regarding the alleged inability and seeming “toothlessness” of law enforcement agencies in this area and all other areas across the country, to nib this stinking canker in the bud.

We have watched and heard from all over new media, the harrowing testimonies of hardworking, law-abiding inhabitants of Kasoa and its contiguous communities, the disturbing testimonies of how these land guards portray with glaring effrontery the unleashing of terror and fear. Michael was a son, brother, uncle, nephew, and a father and was best known for his calm, nearly introvert and unassuming disposition.

Is this what such a person, serving his country so dutifully deserves? Justice must come quick. As a deterent for future crime, and as a less idealistic but a more pragmatic method of crime prevention. So that prospective criminals parading and saturating this Kasoa enclave and indeed other areas across Ghana, where this menace of land guards is being perpetrated with reckless abandon, brazen impunity and, just like was done on this ground, in the face of law enforcing officers with absolutely no regard for the law. Inasmuch as we know that for previous victims of this terror squad that have been operating here, as well as for Michael and the family he left behind, ultimate justice will never come. You know why? Because no matter what the justice system does with regards to this case, they cannot bring Lance Corporal Michael Danso back to life.

However, all parties, that is, the investigative and prosecutorial team of the Ghana Police Service, our respected court system, the Attorney General’s office, and even the penitentiaries where these criminals are incarcerated, should make sure that we atone for every drop of Michael’s blood, by ensuring that alleged slaughter happy thugs like Benlord Ababio are subjected to, not just the full rigours of the law, but also the expeditious delivery of it, so that the exhibition of such barbaric behaviour will never be occasioned again here, or anywhere in Ghana. Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, I thank you for your attention.

SB/BB