Government sets up Commission of Inquiry to probe Ayawaso by-election violence

The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has set up a Commission of Inquiry to probe circumstances leading to the violence that occurred during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election last Thursday.

The decision was taken with the consent of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who is out of the country.

There was a shooting incident near a La Bawaleshie polling centre that temporarily disrupted the polls and resulted in at least 13 persons sustaining injuries.
Indications are that some National Security personnel used excessive forces against some persons suspected of trying to disrupt the by-election.

Former Commissioner at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Emile Short has been appointed as Chairperson of the Commission while former Dean of the Faculty of Law of GIMPA and private legal practitioner, Mr. Ernest Kofi Abotsi has been appointed as Secretary to the Commission.

Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Patrick K. Acheampong have also been appointed as Members of the Commission.

The terms of reference of the Commission are as follows:

– To make a full, faithful and impartial inquiry into the circumstances of, and establish the facts leading to, the events and associated violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon By-Election on the 31st day of January 2019;

– To identify any person responsible for or who has been involved in the events, associated violence and injuries;

– To inquire into any matter which the Commission considers incidental or reasonably related to the causes of the events and the associated violence and injuries; and

– To submit within one month its report to the President giving reasons for its findings and recommendations, including appropriate sanctions, if any.

Source: citinewsroom.com