The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a strong call for the government to implement the Emil Short Commission of Enquiry’s recommendations regarding the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election violence.
This appeal, in a statement by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwettey, coincides with the fifth anniversary of the incident.
Reflecting on the events, Kwettey stated, “Exactly five years ago today, heavily armed men from the national security of Ghana invaded the bye-election for the replacement of the then-deceased Member of Parliament of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.”
The NDC emphasized the significant impact of the violence, noting the “indiscriminate firing of sophisticated assault rifles” that led to many sustaining life-altering injuries.
Criticizing the government’s response, the statement read, “The government has refused to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Enquiry, leaving the victims, who are seriously injured and economically challenged, to fend for themselves.”
Fifi Kwettey further criticized the current administration, accusing them of continued electoral violence.
“This is the last year of the insensitive Akufo-Addo government which, taking a lesson from the Ayawaso West Wuogon disturbances, caused the death of eight more people to secure victory in the 2020 general elections,” he claimed.
The NDC’s statement called on Ghanaian citizens, urging them to vote against the current government in upcoming elections, to bring an end to the “darkness” that has prevailed since the NPP, led by Akufo-Addo, took power.
The Ayawaso West by-election took place on 31 January 2019 after the death of the incumbent MP Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko on 21 November 2018. Lydia Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party was elected with 69% of the vote.
Violence erupted in the area of the La-Bawaleshie polling station two hours after the election had started, though there were no deaths recorded there were casualties. Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George was assaulted and 18 people were wounded by gunshot.
