OPEN LETTER
Date: November 4, 2025
To:
The Government of Ghana
Accra, Ghana
The Ghana Armed Forces
Accra, Ghana
Subject: Demand for Justice and Accountability Following the Basyonde and Garu-Tempane Incident
I write to express my outrage and deep disappointment at the handling of the recent tragic incident in Basyonde and Garu-Tempane, where an Immigration Officer was shot and killed. Instead of taking concrete steps to arrest the perpetrators, reports indicate that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) carried out brutal attacks on innocent civilians, including women, men, and children.
As a concerned citizen and a member of the ruling party, I am appalled by this egregious failure to protect and serve the people. The actions of the Ghana Armed Forces are unacceptable and have caused immense harm, fear, and suffering among the residents of Basyonde and Garu-Tempane.
I, Henry Mbilla, humbly and firmly demand that the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces take immediate action to:
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Identify and arrest the perpetrators responsible for the killing of the Immigration Officer.
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Cease all violent operations and brutal attacks on innocent civilians in the affected communities.
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Conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the incident and hold those responsible fully accountable.
Background
According to official accounts from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), one officer has been confirmed dead and another injured following a shooting incident at Nangani in the Tempane District of the Upper East Region.
The officers — Assistant Immigration Control Officer (AICO I) Philip Lartey and AICO I Cosmos Dakurah — were reportedly ambushed by unidentified gunmen while returning from duty on a motorbike on Sunday, November 2, 2025, around 8:30 p.m.
A statement issued by the GIS Public Affairs Department on November 3, 2025, confirmed that both officers sustained gunshot wounds and were initially treated at the Basyonde Clinic before being transferred to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
“Regrettably, AICO I Cosmos Dakurah later succumbed to his injuries and passed away in the early hours of November 3, 2025,” the statement noted.
The GIS has since confirmed that it is working closely with the Ghana Police Service to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) have also dispatched a team to the Upper East Region to support investigations and reassure affected officers.
Conclusion
The people of Basyonde and Garu-Tempane deserve justice, protection, and respect. I therefore urge the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces to act swiftly, restore calm, and rebuild public trust by prioritizing accountability and transparency.
Sincerely,
Henry Mbilla
NDC Member and Concerned Citizen
📞 +233 (0)544 622 328