Bodies of seven Ivorian refugees killed in Ghana decomposing – Assembly Member

Government has been asked to ensure the immediate burial of seven decomposed bodies of Ivorian refugees deposited at the Half Assini Government Hospital mortuary, to avoid an outbreak of epidemic.

The Assembly Member for Amanzule Electoral Area, in Half Assini in the Western Region, Mr John Kwaw Ekoboe, made the appeal through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Half Assini on Thursday.

He said the Ivoirians died in a bizarre circumstance at the former Eagle Star Transit Camp at Elubo in September last year, and their bodies were deposited at the mortuary by the police for investigations.

Mr Ekoboe claimed that the police did not allow for the treatment of the bodies before depositing them at the mortuary,  because according to the police that could interfere or undermine their investigations.

The Assembly Member said the bodies had decomposed and emitting bad scent because of continuous power outages in the area, and explained that the people could not bury the bodies because they were those of refugees, covered by international law.

Meanwhile a staff of the hospital, who spoke to the GNA on condition of anonymity, confirmed the story, and said because of the current situation, the hospital has decided not to accept bodies brought there by the police.

He cited that the body of a man, who drowned in the Abbey lagoon, and was brought to the Half Assini Government Hospital, was rejected and sent to the Effia Nkwanta Regional hospital for autopsy.

Source: GNA