I had no intention of winning Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election through violence – Lydia Alhassan
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon and minister-designate for the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has spoken about the events of the 2019 by-election that propelled her to parliament for the first time.
Responding to questions as she appeared before a parliamentary vetting committee on Tuesday, March 5, Lydia Seyram Alhassan clarified that her intention during the election was to win and serve his constituents but not through violence.
“The incident that happened on January 31, 2019 was unfortunate. As a candidate [then], whose focus was to win the election, and support the voiceless and the under-privileged, and support my constituency, my intention of doing that was not to win through violence.”
She lamented the painful experience on her first day in parliament after the elections.
“As you are aware, I was nowhere near where the incident occurred. You all remember how I was received the first day I stepped foot into parliament. A woman who was in pain, grieving. I’m glad there is an opportunity to bring closure to this matter, and I would like to clear it off my chest,” she stated.
Reflecting on the impact of the incident as a woman and a mother, Madam Alhassan underscored the importance of eliminating electoral violence to foster Ghana’s democracy.
“I pray what happened on that day should never happen to anyone trying to represent his/her people. It should never happen again in the history of our quest to lead this country in our democracy. Issue of violence should never happen in our elections ever again,” she advised.
READ ALSO: NPP’s Lydia Alhassan Wins Ayawaso West Wuogon By-Election By Landslide.
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 national security.
The violence that characterised 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 Sam George provoked the man who assaulted him.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the violence, Mr George said the party would fight back to ensure justice is served.
He called on the president to “give life to the recommendations of the Short Commission”.