Gov't calls for investigation into the Techiman accident

Techiman (B/A), Nov. 10, GNA - Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister of Defence, has called for a thorough investigation into the motor accident at Twimea Nkwanta near Techiman at the weekend that claimed 22 lives. He called on the police and the military to conduct separate investigations to ascertain the truth as to whether the KIA truck that crashed into the 207 Benz bus was actually shot at by military officers who were alleged to be chasing it.
The minister gave the order at a press briefing at the Holy Family Hospital at Techiman after visiting the accident scene on Monday. He was accompanied by Major General Samuel Odotei, Army Commander, Nana Kwadwo Kwakye, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Seth Charles Obeng, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Prince Yaw Donyina, Regional Police Commander, and Superintendent Solomon Kwabena Ntim, Techiman Municipal Police Commander.
Family members of the deceased clad in mourning clothes were seen at the hospital wailing uncontrollably as they waited for the release of the bodies of their loved ones.
Mr Kan Dapaah asked the Techiman Assembly to pay for the medical bills of the deceased and ordered the hospital authorities to refund GH¢37.50 collected earlier from the bereaved families. He called on the general public and the media to limit their speculations and allow the security agencies to ascertain the truth, adding, it was important for the public to be disciplined and to respect the law enforcement agencies.
Mr Ben Boateng, medical officer in charge of the hospital stated that 20 bodies had been released to the bereaved families whilst the bodies of the KIA truck dr iver and his mate would be sent to a different hospital for autopsy.
The Minister and his entourage later paid a courtesy calls on Okatakyie Agyemang Kodom, Omanhene of Nkoranza Traditional Area and Oseadeeyo Ameyaw Akumfi II, Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area to console them as many of the accident victims were citizens of Nkoranza. Two of the injured persons, Madam Mary Pokuah, 40 and Madam Grace Pokuah were still on admission at the hospital. Among the bodies released were four educationists of the Sunyani Municipal Directorate of Education.