The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the government to implement the recommendation of the Emile Short Commission regarding the 31st January, 2019 by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.
According to the largest opposition party, the government has deliberately refused to follow through with the White Paper produced by the Commission and not prosecuted a single person since work was done.
“Even more bizarre and sad, is the blatant refusal of the Attorney-General, Mr. Godfred Dame to discuss the modalities for the payment of compensation to the victims, as recommended by the Emile Short Commission,” the NDC noted in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 31 on the fourth anniversary of the violent by-election, which was held in the wake of the death of Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko.
The resultant by-election was won by current Member of Parliament, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the widow, who beat NDC’s Delali Kwasi Brempong to retain the seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
NDC’s statement signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey assured all victims that true justice will be sought for them in the next government of the party in 2025.
Find the statement below:
NDC SOLIDARIZES WITH VICTIMS OF AYAWASO WEST WUOGON VIOLENCE.
Today is exactly four (4) years since state-sponsored bandits clothe in National Security apparels and working under the instructions of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government brutalized, shot and maimed innocent citizens during the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election.
The leadership and the entire membership of the National Democratic Congress can never forget the shame and disgrace that this dastardly event occasioned our dear country.
On this sad day of memories, we remember all those who were attacked and injured on that fateful day. We particularly solidarize with those who still bear the scars of the attacks they suffered in the hands of those wicked state-sponsored goons.
The NDC is appalled by the blatant refusal of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to implement the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission and its own white paper on this matter. It is shameful to say the least, that till date, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has not deemed it necessary to prosecute the perpetrators of the Ayawaso by-election violence.
Even more bizarre and sad, is the blatant refusal of the Attorney-General, Mr. Godfred Dame to discuss the modalities for the payment of compensation to the victims, as recommended by the Emile Short Commission.
In the circumstances, we are giving the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government a 30-day ultimatum to pay fair and adequate compensation to all injured victims of the Ayawaso West Wuogon violence, failing which, the NDC will collaborate with the affected persons and take all necessary steps to seek appropriate compensation for them.
The NDC stands with all victims of the Ayawaso West Wuogon violence. We wish to assure them of our unflinching commitment to punish the perpetrators and seek true justice for them under the next NDC in the year 2025.
Signed.
Comrade Fifi Fiavi Kwetey
General Secretary