Underprivileged Orphan Endures Horrifying Attack by Military Officers
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the Talensi district in Ghana's Upper East Region, a 15-year-old orphan, Clement Zing, was reportedly brutalized by military officers on Monday, November 20, 2023.
According to Zing, the ordeal unfolded in a manner reminiscent of a scene from Mel Gibson's epic film, "The Passion of the Christ." However, unlike the historical scourging in Jerusalem, the Ghanaian soldiers allegedly used multiple steel cables twisted together, haphazardly lashing the young boy in the gold district of Talenteng.
Zing, who lost both parents in 2017 and 2018, recounted that four soldiers, with his hands tied, mercilessly beat him, while another soldier stood by, claiming to understand his language. Eyewitnesses identified the alleged perpetrators as members of a military task force stationed within the premises of Earl International Group (Ghana) Gold Limited, a Chinese mining firm operating in the region.
The incident unfolded when Zing, taking a video selfie with his uncle's phone near the Kejetia Bus Station, was accosted by two soldiers who claimed he was filming them. They seized the phone and forcibly took him to the Chinese company's yard, where the reported torture took place.
Zing described the harrowing experience, stating, "They asked me to take off the shirt I was wearing and tied me up. Then, they began to beat me with cables. One of them did not take part in the beating. He said he understood my language."
After the beating, Zing was confined to a room in one of the buildings on the premises. His family, upon discovering the severe injuries, reported the matter to the District Police Command in Tongo.
The Chinese company, however, denied the allegations, stating that the incident occurred outside their premises. Albert Azongo, an assistant public relations officer, emphasized that the military personnel stationed at the company's yard had denied involvement, and the matter had been reported to the top hierarchy of the military for investigation.
Marks of severe beating are evident on Zing's body, with injuries requiring medical attention. His family rushed him to the Talensi District Hospital, where concerns were raised about possible internal bleeding.
In response to the incident, Media Without Borders engaged the authorities of the 11 Mechanised Infantry Battalion, under whose command the military team operates. The authorities expressed concern about the allegation, pledging to investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action if the claim is substantiated.
This incident follows an October 2023 video capturing military personnel brutalizing residents in neighboring districts, sparking a nationwide outcry for accountability and justice. The Ghana Armed Forces, assuring a thorough investigation, emphasized their commitment to maintaining discipline within their ranks and holding individuals accountable for any excesses.
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