The Ghana Police Service has commenced investigation into an alleged assault on three (3) missionary Catholic Priests near Nkwanta in the Oti Region.

The incident occurred yesterday, December 11, 2024.

According to a police statement, their preliminary investigations revealed the three missionary priests were travelling with officials from the Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly, including the Municipal Engineer, to Chiesco to inspect a plot of land they had cleared using the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) machinery.

While on the way, they were confronted by some youth who accused them of stealing the equipment.

This led to a confrontation in which one of the priests was physically assaulted.

The injured priest subsequently taken to hospital where he was treated and discharged.

“We would like to state that throughout the investigation process, the priests have been treated as victims, and at no point were they detained by the Police,” the statement said.

“The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has spoken with the President of Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, on the matter and assured him of a thorough Police investigation into the incident and also pledged all necessary support to the affected priests.”

The police statement concluded: “Meanwhile, Police efforts are underway to get the perpertrators arrested to face justice.”