The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed its disappointment over the government’s failure to compensate victims of the Ayawaso West Wuogon violence.
The party has therefore been compelled to issue a 30-day ultimatum to the government after four years of silence and the lack of concrete plans to pay adequate compensation to victims.
Should the government fail to abide by the demand, the NDC says it will collaborate with the affected persons and take all necessary steps to seek appropriate compensation for them.
“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,” a statement signed by its new General Secretary Fifi Kwetey said.
The party also blamed Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame for not ensuring that the affected victims are duly compensated.
“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 statement added.
Background
Constituents in Ayawaso West Wuogon went to the polls on January 31, 2019, to elect a Member of Parliament after the sitting MP, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko died.
The election was marred by a shooting incident at the residence of the NDC Parliamentary candidate, Kwasi Delali Brempong, which resulted in injuries to 18 persons.
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George was also assaulted by a well-built man who claimed to be a member of the national security.
The violence that characterized the day led to the NDC withdrawing its agents from the polling stations.
A commission of inquiry led by Justice Emile Short was constituted to investigate the incident.
The commission at the end of its work made some recommendations to the government to among others prosecute the individual who assaulted the MP.
But the government in its white paper to the recommendations said the man who assaulted the sitting MP was provoked by him [MP, Sam George].
Below is the statement to that effect
