Short Commission presents its report to Akufo-Addo

<! –

->

The Emile Short Commission, which investigated the violence that marred Ayawaso West Wuogon's by-election, reported to the president.

Commission President Emile Short said confidently that President Akufo-Addo will find their conclusions and recommendations useful to guide future reforms.

Presenting the report Thursday at Jubilee House, he thanked the president "for this initiative and congratulates you on your determination to eliminate the scourge of electoral violence from our politics".

For his part, President Akufo-Addo thanked the members of the Commission, as well as all other stakeholders badociated with his work, for having agreed to provide this service to the people of our country.

For her part, President Nana Akufo-Addo thanked the Commission and its Executive Secretary for having carried out their mandate expeditiously.

"The circumstances in which the unfortunate incident occurred may have been a bit difficult for others, but you have not hesitated to accept the mission and the work that you have made fell into the public domain. The whole country has seen the transparent nature of the procedure and we have all followed it with great care and attention. I'm glad it's finally over, "he said.

he added, "To the extent that the recommendations of this commission can help us advance law and order in our country, I welcome it."

"We have a responsibility to maintain law and order in our country, and this responsibility can not be abdicated," he said.

The Short Commission was created on February 6 to produce a report in a month. This follows the violence that stained the January 31st by-election in Ayawaso West Wuogon.

There was a unbriMasked men badaulting civilians, police appearing unable to control the situation at La Bawaleshie polling stations. Sam George, NDC-Prampram NDC MP, was slapped and at least 15 people were injured.

The Commission, which was composed of a former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Emile Short, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Professor of Law, Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, former Inspector General of Police, had as Executive Secretary a former dean of GIMPA Law School, Kofi Abotsi.

Their mandate included describing the circumstances that led to the violence and making recommendations to prevent future events.

The Commission heard testimony from critics of this by-election, including Inspector General of Police David Asante-Apeatu, Minister of National Security Albert Kan Dapaah, Secretary General of the NPP, John Boadu, and MP for Nimgo Prampram Constituency, Sam George.

During the meeting of the Commission, activism was at the center of our concerns. It is generally accepted that the violence that marred the Ayawaso violence was perpetrated by militias that owe allegiance to the NDC and the NPP.

Testimonies presented to the commission also testify to the fact that some loyalty supporters have been enlisted in state security.

The report of the Short Commission should punish the perpetrators of the violence of January 31, but especially identify the causes and sponsors of party militias and make recommendations to end the threat.