Violence in Ayawaso: We will sue the wounded – Mahama

General News of Monday, February 4, 2019

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

2019-02-04

Former President John Mahama has criticized the entire security apparatus and the government as a whole for the events taking place at the end of the by-election. Ayawaso West Wuogon in which the widow of Emmanuel Kyerematen Agyarko won the victory was won by a margin of 68%.

Mr Mahama instructed the President to remind his representatives that the opposition National Democratic Congress would have to "defend" itself if the situation reoccurred.

Speaking in the North Tongu constituency during his regional tour, the CND chairman revealed that the party would seek redress for individuals injured during the shooting at Balaweshie Presbyterian Elementary School in Accra.

He noted that lawyers will get the services of victims and will go to court to seek redress.

"The ball is in the government's court. And we are waiting to see what investigation will take place. But we are not going to sit down; All those who were injured by the shots, we will find them lawyers and they will pursue those who did that. We will prosecute them and sue them for adequate compensation for all those injured.

Following the incident during the electoral process, several opinion leaders, CSOs and bodies condemned this event while calling for the head of the masked badailants. However, in response to critics after the shooting near Balaweshie, the state's Minister of National Security, Mr. Bryan Acheampong, defended the staff by insisting that they were agents of the national security.

According to him, the officers are well trained and if any of them behaved badly during the fray, an investigation on this subject will look for them.

Mr. Acheampong explained that masked National Security officers stormed the residence of NDC candidate Delali Kwasi Brempong, as about 15 young men on motorcycles ransacked the JHS polling station. La-Bawaleshie, had entered his home and had started shooting, said a clbadfmonline report.

Mr. Mahama however chose the Minister of State and indicated that he had been reported to appear in court.

"… Bryan Acheampong says that he ordered it. He is a candidate for the court. We will pursue him as an individual, "added the former commander-in-chief.

He therefore encouraged party members and enthusiasts to remain calm without disturbing the peace by making themselves heard.