Stephen Arthur
A 27-year-old man, who was shot by a careless policeman, has been left to his fate after he became paralyzed.
Stephen Arthur said his dream of becoming a footballer was shattered after the bullet fired by the policeman hit his spine.
Stephen, in an interview with Adom FM’s Evening News on Thursday, said he met the misfortune seven years ago on Christmas Day.
According to him, he was on board a commercial vehicle (trotro) from Bawjiase to Kasoa when the driver of the vehicle was stopped by two police officers.
He said upon reaching the Bawjiase barrier, the driver gave GH¢10 to one of the police officers who begged for a Christmas gift.
He narrated that the other policeman was unhappy with the amount and ordered the driver to give them more money.
But the first police officer insisted that the money was apt and ordered the driver to move the vehicle.
A teary Stephen Arthur said he and other passengers heard a gunshot afterwards, adding that the bullet hit his spine and subsequently the abdomen.
“Our driver heeded the command of the first police officer and drove away. Some few meters from the spot, we heard the shouts of the police officer not to do that [probably asking him not to shoot] only for us to hear the gunshot,” he said.
“The bullet passed through the vehicle and hit my abdomen; all my intestines gushed out. They held them firmly and I was rushed to the hospital by the driver and some passengers.”
“The bullet from the careless police officer ended my dreams and now I can’t even watch football again because it makes me cry.”
Doctors at the Police Hospital confirmed that he would use the wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Sadly, Stephen Arthur, an orphan, has now been abandoned despite numerous promises by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu.
“The current IGP saw me and promised that he will acquire a new wheelchair for me but that has not happened and I purchased a new wheelchair with money donated by my friends,” Arthur added.
From Vincent Kubi, Tema