IDEG, CFI and CDD want a short period of Extended Commission

Three civil society organizations have asked the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to extend this deadline by one month. handed over to the Emile Short Commission to investigate the violence in the by – election of Ayawaso West Wuogon.

The Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), the National Election Observers Coalition (CODEO) and the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) have, following a emergency meeting, called for prorogation to allow the Commission to meet. further work.

In a joint press release, the bodies said: "The State Council, the National Peace Council, the National Chamber of Chiefs, religious leaders and all well-meaning Ghanaians must persuade the two main political parties to dissolve and immediately cease the formation and armed groups commonly known as political vigilante groups ".

The government and the security agencies they are calling for should take concrete steps to ensure that the kind of violence that occurred during the by-election in the Ayawaso-West Wuogon constituency does not spread before the elections, or even during the elections. 2020 elections.

Also that "the NDC, in the national interest, seriously reconsider its position of non-cooperation with the Commission".

The inquiry commission must continue to operate in a transparent and open manner in order to dispel the fears of all those who have expressed concerns about its creation, the statement said.

You will find below a copy of the complete declaration:

STATEMENT PUBLISHED BY THE CIVIC FORUM INITIATIVE (CFI), THE INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE (IDEG), THE COALITION OF ELEMENTARY ELECTORAL OBSERVERS (CODEO) AND THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT (CDD) AT A MEETING EMERGENCY HELD ON 14 FEBRUARY 2010.

1. Representatives of civil society organizations, the Civic Forum (CFI), the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), the Coalition of National Election Observers (CODEO) and the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) convened an emergency meeting on Thursday February 14, 2019 at the IDEG auditorium to review the security situation after the violence that occurred in La Bawaleshie during the partial election of the constituency of Ayawaso-West Wuogon on January 31, 2019.
2. After a comprehensive badessment of the political and security situation in the country following the by-elections in the Ayawaso-West Wuogon constituency, it was noted that:

1. Total condemnation of political parties and civil society organizations and the international community violence perpetrated by state security personnel during the by-election.
2. The growing threat of banditry and hooliganism of armed groups illegally described as euphemism is referred to as political self-defense groups in the ranks of Ghana's two main political parties.
3. The creation by the government on February 6, 2019, of a four-member inquiry commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence that erupted in the by-election West Wuogon district of Ayawaso.
4. The concerns expressed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its minority group in Parliament about the composition and implications of the appointed inquiry commission to investigate the violence in the constituency by-election .

3. In view of the above, we wish to indicate that:

1. We recognize the democratic right of the NDC to express its concerns about the government's decision to create the commission of inquiry.
2. We have no reason to doubt the integrity and neutrality of the members of the commission of inquiry.
3. The call and the hope that the work of the Commission will not prevent the investigation and prosecution of those found guilty is well founded.
4. The partial electoral violence in the constituency of Ayawaso-West Wuogon is not an isolated incident, but a broader trend to the country's growing drift towards electoral violence, the solution of which lies in a collective national responsibility. Illegally armed groups pose an existential threat to Ghana's peace, stability and prosperity.
5. The inquiry commission offers a rare, welcome and ultimate opportunity before the 2020 elections to decisively attack the threat of armed groups illegally.

4. As a result, we wish to call upon:

1. The President extended the time allowed for the work of the Committee of Inquiry to allow it to do more work.
2. The State Council, the National Peace Council, the National House of Chiefs, religious leaders and all well-meaning Ghanaians must persuade the two main political parties to immediately dissolve and suspend the formation and functioning of groups. illegal armed, commonly called political vigilante groups.
3. The government and security agencies should take concrete steps to ensure that the type of violence that occurred in the by-election in the Ayawaso-West Wuogon constituency is not pbaded on in the upcoming elections, or even on the elections of 2020.
4. The NDC, in the national interest, must seriously reconsider its position of non-cooperation with the Commission.
5. The inquiry commission will continue to operate in a transparent and open manner in order to dispel the fears of all those who have expressed concerns about its creation.
6. Our compatriots in Ghana should pay close attention to the work of the inquiry commission and give their full support to this work, as well as do everything in their power to protect the peace and democratic stability of the country. nation enjoys in the Fourth Republic with regard to the future of 2020. General Elections.

5. To demonstrate our commitment to support good faith efforts to address the threat of illegal armed groups, we would urge key national stakeholders to discuss ways to work together to address the issues. In addition, we will stand ready to offer whatever badistance the Commission may need to succeed. We call on all Ghanaians to support these initiatives for peace and stability.