About 237 residents affected by a military operation in Ashaiman in March 2023 are demanding justice, calling for the dismissal of the soldiers involved and compensation for damages suffered.

The residents have filed a lawsuit against the state, seeking redress for medical expenses, emotional distress, physical pain, and destruction of property allegedly caused during the raid.

According to a report by graphiconline.com report, on March 10, 2026, the suit was filed at the High Court and names the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence as the first and second defendants, with the Attorney-General’s Department joined as the third defendant.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that the actions of the soldiers who carried out the operation on March 7, 2023, were unlawful.

They claim that officers and men acting as agents of the defendants assaulted residents and destroyed properties.

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Many victims reportedly sustained injuries, which they attribute to the unlawful conduct of the military personnel.

The residents are seeking several reliefs, including:

A declaration that the physical abuse inflicted on them was unlawful.

A ruling that the destruction of their property was illegal.

An order compelling the defendants to pay all medical expenses already incurred, as well as, future medical costs arising from injuries sustained.

General damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma.

Compensation for the full cost of damage to homes and personal belongings, as well as, reimbursement for money allegedly lost during the operation.

Additionally, the plaintiffs want the court to order the dismissal of the military personnel involved and to award legal costs, including fees assessed at 25 percent of any sums awarded, in line with the Ghana Bar Association’s scale.

Background

On March 7, 2023, soldiers carried out a dawn swoop in parts of Ashaiman, including the communities of Tulaku and Ashaiman Taifa, following the killing of a young soldier, Imoro Sherrif.

The operation was intended to apprehend suspects linked to the murder. However, several residents later reported being subjected to beatings, harassment and other forms of abuse during the exercise, triggering widespread public outrage.

Subsequently, the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior of the Eighth Parliament investigated the incident and concluded that the actions of the military violated the fundamental rights of civilians.

The committee described the force used against residents as excessive and recommended sanctions against officers involved, as well as compensation for victims.

Three years after the incident, the victims say they are still seeking justice.

AM/VPO

Did you know that there is a fort in Ghana that was not built for slavery? And did you know that it is in Elmina? Watch the story about Fort Jago here: