US Peace Corps volunteers questioned in Ghana over death

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Police in Ghana questioned two US nationals working as volunteers for the Peace Corps aid programme in connection with the killing of a local man who tried to rob them on Saturday, officials said yesterday.

Despite initial reports from Ghana that the pair was arrested, a State Department official said Ghanaian police did not detain the corps members.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and are providing consular assistance,” State Department spokesperson Patrick Ventrell told a news briefing, adding that the incident was under investigation by Ghanaian officials.

A police officer in the northern town of Wa said the incident happened over the weekend when the volunteers were attacked by two robbers.

One Peace Corps volunteer fought back with a knife, fatally wounding one of the assailants, said the officer, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to media.