Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Sam George says government white paper on the Emile Short Commission’s report clearly vindicates his assertion that the Akufo-Addo government approved of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.
Government in its white paper said the Commission’s report in part lacked factual basis, claiming the commission failed to investigate some key issues they were tasked to look into, for which reason it has rejected some of the recommendations.
The Commission recommended the prosecution of the man who assaulted Mr Sam George, but government has rejected that recommendation.
Mr George in his response said government’s “rabid disagreement” with the findings and recommendations of the Commission is a testament that government was neck-deep in the violence that disrupted voting at a polling station in the January 31 by-election
“The position of Government in the accompanying White Paper reinforces my long held view that the dastardly actions of January 31, 2019 had the tacit approval of those who occupy the highest office of the land,” Mr George said in a statement Thursday.
According to Sam George, he knew government would fail to embrace recommendations from the report and take necessary actions.
“I had no hopes of justice from this government,” he said, noting “I have been vindicated”.
In his view, the response to the commission’s report as contained in the white paper gives “the clearest sign yet that the President and his security team have a grand agenda of unleashing violence and undermining the peace, stability and safety of our beloved Republic so long as it perpetuates his failing government in power.”
Excerpt of Emile Short Commission report
The Emile Short Commission of Inquiry was set up by president Akufo-Addo on the back of violence which marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election on January 31, 2019.
After months of sitting after which the report was presented to the president, findings available in the media show recommendations by the commission for some individuals to be sanctioned and reprimanded.
Per the report, Minister of State in charge of National Security, Bryan Acheampong is to be reprimanded for overseeing an operation that caused violence on January 31.
Commander of the Police SWAT team, DSP Samuel Azugu is also to be removed from his position as SWAT Commander.
An operative of the National Security, Ernest Akomea also known as ‘Double’ is to be charged for unauthorized possession of arms on the day of the by election.
By 3news.com|Ghana