The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the government to act upon the recommendations made by the Emil Short Commission of Enquiry concerning the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election violence.
This demand comes as the NDC commemorates the fifth anniversary of the disturbance, with a statement from the General Secretary, Fifi Kwettey.
“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 statement said.
The NDC emphasized the severity of the violence, highlighting how many individuals suffered life-altering injuries due to the “indiscriminate firing of sophisticated assault rifles.”
The NDC noted their withdrawal from the bye-election, which led to an unprecedentedly low voter turnout in the history of Ghana’s 4th Republic.
The party expressed strong criticism of the government’s inaction following the Commission of Enquiry’s investigation into the disturbances.
“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,” the statement read.
Mr. Fifi Kwettey also accused the Akufo-Addo administration of perpetuating electoral violence.
He stated, “This is the last year of the insensitive Akufo-Addo government which, taking a lesson from the Ayawaso West Wuogon disturbances, allegedly caused the death of eight more people to secure victory in the 2020 general elections.”
The NDC urged the citizens of Ghana to cast their votes against the current government in the forthcoming elections, advocating for an end to the “darkness” that has overshadowed the nation since the NPP, led by Akufo-Addo, took office.