Three Indian Catholic priests stationed in Kpassa, within the Nkwanta-North District of the Oti Region, were attacked by a mob at a fuel station in Nkwanta last Wednesday.The priests, Father Robinson Melkis, Father Frank Henry Jacob, and Father Martin George, have been serving in Ghana since 2005 as members of the Capuchin Friars.

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During the assault, Father Jacob sustained serious injuries, including the loss of hearing in one ear, and has been referred to Yendi Hospital for further treatment. Parts of the attack were captured on video and have been widely shared online.

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Two officials from the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly, Engineer Samuel Worlanyo Asugbey and the Municipal Town and Country Planning Officer, who were with the priests at the time, were also assaulted.According to Monsignor Joseph Kofi Nsiah, Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan, the priests had hired a bulldozer from the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly to prepare land for a Formation House project in Chaiso.

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After paying GH¢9,700, they were refueling the equipment at a fuel station when they were confronted by the mob, who accused them of trying to steal it.The mob subjected them to a violent attack for nearly 30 minutes before officers from the Ghana Immigration Service arrived to rescue them. Despite their ordeal, the mob reported the priests to the police for allegedly attempting to steal the equipment.

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The priests were detained, and the bulldozer was impounded, but they were later released on bail following intervention by Monsignor Nsiah.The Nkwanta-South branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the attack and issued a public apology.

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In a statement signed by Constituency Secretary Prince Succeed Fiagadzi, the party expressed sorrow over the incident and described the actions of the youth involved as both unacceptable and regrettable.They condemned the incident as unacceptable and extended their apologies for the harm, trauma, and distress caused to the priests.

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“Your selfless dedication to serving humanity and preaching the message of love and compassion deserves utmost respect and gratitude”, they added.

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