The Wenchi High Court has ordered the Ghanaian government to pay a total compensation of GH¢150,000 to six individuals who were injured during the violent 2020 parliamentary election in the Techiman South Constituency.
The court ruled that the compensation was due to the “violation of their right to life and infliction of psychological trauma from being shot at by the state security forces.”
Presiding over the case, Justice Frederick Nawurah ordered the state and investigative bodies to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Additionally, the court awarded a cost of GH¢20,000 each to the six injured individuals.
In his judgment, Justice Nawurah determined that the violence in Techiman South on December 8, 2020, which resulted in gunshot wounds for the six individuals, violated their fundamental human rights.
The court found that the security forces’ use of firearms was excessive and unjustified, leading to the injuries.
It ruled that the defendants, the Attorney-General and the Inspector General of Police, failed to prove that the use of such force was necessary under the law.
The court awarded compensation to the six applicants based on the evidence presented, including video footage, which confirmed that they suffered gunshot wounds due to the actions of the security officers.
The incident occurred during the collation of the 2020 parliamentary election results in the Techiman South Constituency.
Despite the chaotic situation, the court found that the security forces’ response was disproportionate and violated the applicants’ rights.
