Coalition urges gov’t to pursue Gambian US$600k reparation for massacred Ghanaians

The Jammeh2Justice (J2J) Ghana Coalition has appealed to the Ghana government to pursue the Gambian government’s reparation package of $600,000 for over 50 West African migrants who were killed in Gambia in 2005.

The call comes after the Gambian government announced in May that it had agreed to pay 32,400,000 Dalasi, or about USD600, 000, in reparation to the families of massacre victims and survivors through their respective governments.

Over 50 West African migrants were unlawfully tortured, killed, and disappeared in 2005, including over 44 Ghanaians, prompting worldwide condemnation.

The J2J Ghana Coalition said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency that the families of the massacred victims and survivors were awaiting engagement with the government on how to proceed with the compensation payment.

The reparation payment is in response to a proposal made to the Gambian government following findings by the Gambia Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparation Commission (TRRC) that ex-President Jammeh Yahya and 12 people under his command and control were guilty of the illegal act in 2005.
The coalition described the amount as an “initial reparation payment” as it was not adequate.

“The J2J Ghana Coalition would like to encourage the government to consider further negotiations with the government of the Gambia to secure additional and adequate financial support for the survivors and victims,” the statement said.

It added that the $600,000 when paid should be considered as the first payment towards the payment of additional and adequate compensation to the victims’ families and survivors.
The J2J Ghana Coalition pledged its full support for the victims’ families and survivors, as well as its willingness to assist the government in any way possible in engaging the victims.

The Jammeh2Justice Ghana Coalition is a civil society body that advocates for justice and reparations for the 2005 massacred migrant victims’ families and survivors.

The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, the Africa Center for International Law and Accountability, Amnesty International, Ghana, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, the Media Foundation for West Africa, the Human Rights Advocacy Centre, and the POS Foundation are among the coalition members.