The Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, has announced a reward of GhC20,000 to any person who gives credible information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the Mfantseman MP, Ekow Hayford.
Hayford’s convoy was caught up in an alleged highway robbery and was shot dead by the suspected robbers.
In a statement, the police said the IGP has sent specialized investigators from the CID Headquarters to support the Central region’s Crime Scene Team to solve the alleged robbery incident and murder of the lawmaker on the Mankessim-Abeadze Abakrom highway.
Meanwhile, president Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed shock over the incident.
In a Facebook post, President Akufo-Addo said: “It is a sad day for Mfantseman and for Mother Ghana.”
“I am shocked and saddened by news of the murder of the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, Hon. Ekow Kwansa Hayford, by suspected armed robbers in the early hours of this morning. It is a sad day for Mfantseman and for Mother Ghana. My last encounter with him was on 30th June, this year, when I commissioned a water supply project at Anomansa, in his constituency. By all accounts, he was very much appreciated and loved by his constituents, and I expect the police to bring the perpetrators of this gruesome, cruel act to book as soon as possible. My deepest condolences to his family, to the Mfantseman constituency, to the New Patriotic Party, and to Parliament. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” the president posted.
Campaign suspended
Meanwhile, political campaigning in the Mfantseman Constituency of the Central Region has been suspended for three days following the death of the MP of the area.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) said in a statement that the decision is in honour of the late Hayford who was shot and killed by unknown assailants at about 1 am on Friday.
“We write to communicate the decision of the NDC PC for Mfantseman –Odziifo James Essoun – to suspend his campaigns in the Constituency until Monday in honour of the death of the sitting NPP MP/PC”, a statement from the NDC read.
“[We] strongly call on the Police to do everything in their power to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime and let the law deal ruthlessly with them”, the statement further continued.
“In expressing our utmost condolences to the good people of Mfantseman, we call on the NPP government of H. E. Nana Akufo Addo to arrest the poor security situation across the country”, it added.
The incident comes barely 48 hours after some NDC campaign team members were attacked by armed robbers on the Hemang-Ejuratia road in the Ashanti Region.
At least four persons were attacked in the process.
