Ablekuma North Election Violence: Interior Minister Assures of Unbiased Police Action
- Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has said the police are looking into the Ablekuma North election violence
- Mohammed-Mubarak addressed the press during the start of the government's new accountability series on July 14
- The minister called the violence a scar on Ghana's democracy during his remarks on the election
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has assured that individuals involved in the violent incidents during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun will be prosecuted regardless of partisan affiliation.
Mohammed-Mubarak told the press on July 14, the Minister said video evidence of the attacks has been handed over to the police.
Source: Facebook
“I have spoken to the IGP firmly on all the happenings of Ablekuma North, and the videos have been forwarded to him. We’ve instructed him to act swiftly and bring the perpetrators to book."
“We are not going to condone wrongdoing, whether it involves people from within our party or from outside.”
Read also
Asiedu Nketia slams Sam George over Ablekuma North comments: "Act like a minister of state"
Mohammed-Mubarak called the violence a scar on Ghana's democracy during his address.
He also criticised the assault of journalists during the election, one of which had a police officer as the aggressor.
“We know where he is, we know where we can find him, and we can easily go after him."
Ahead of the expected by-election in Akwatia, Mohammed-Mubarak said the violence was a wake-up call for the police.
He believes that this will give the security agencies a better opportunity to plan better ahead of the Akwatia by-election.
In comments on the insecurity during the election, governance analyst Ewald Garr told YEN.com.gh the police needed to be more proactive in such settings.
"Police need to be more responsive. If you see any form of misunderstanding brewing, quickly the have to mobilise an respond professionally.”
"It was like the police were just overseeing and people were doing their own thing.”
The Electoral Commission held an election rerun in 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North Constituency on July 11.
It was marred by violence, which featured assaults on New Patriotic Party members like Hawa Koomson, a former MP for Awutu Senya East and Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture; Dakoa Newman, a former MP for Okaikoi South, and Chris Lloyd, Deputy National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party.
Police were criticised for their inaction during the election. No arrests have been made since the violence.
Bawumia visits Hawa Koomson
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia visited Koomson on July 13 to check on her health following the Ablekuma North violence.
The former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East said she was grateful to Bawumia for checking on her.
Source: Facebook
“This morning, H. E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his team visited me at my residence to check on my health after I was brutally assaulted by thugs during the Ablekuma North Rerun. My family and I are extremely grateful for this thoughtful gesture.”
Ewurabena Aubynn apologises after Ablekuma North violence
YEN.com.gh reported that Ewurabena Aubynn, the MP-elect for Ablekuma North on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), apologised over the violence that marred the recent rerun elections in the constituency.
Aubynn also extended her sympathies to the victims of the violence.
She made history as the first NDC candidate to win the Ablekuma North seat after defeating Ghana’s former Deputy Ambassador to China, Nana Akua Afriyieh.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
