By-Election Enquiry: Commissioners Being Used By Government - Asiedu Nketia

The General secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress  (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia say the commission of enquiry established by government to investigate the violence and shooting incident that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election on Thursday, February 31st, 2019 is fake.

According to him, government failed to follow due process and therefore cannot hold themselves as a committee.

"The commission was not properly constituted by following due processes. Why because, a commission of enquiry must go to the Council of State, followed by Parliament for 21 days to be approved and gazetted before it can be established," he said.

Speaking on Okay FM's Ade Akye Abia programme, Mr. Nketia reiterated that Article 23 spells out the process for constituting a committee, adding that the President is just trying to throw dust into the eyes of Ghanaians.

"Akufo Addo is aware of this, they are just doing something to cover up what happened at Ayawaso West by-election. Even though members on the committee are very knowledgeable persons, they are being used by the government to cover up their shame," he stated.

The constituting of a three-member Commission of Inquiry was announced by government on Wednesday, primarily, to investigate the violence and shooting incident that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election on January 31, 2019.

Members of the Commission are Justice Emile Short, former CHRAJ Commissioner, who is to serve as Chairperson; Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, former Dean of Law Faculty, University of Ghana and Patrick K. Acheampong, former Inspector General of Police (IGP), with Ernest Kofi Abotsi, former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and private legal practitioner, as Secretary to the Commission.

A statement issued by the Director of Communications at the Jubilee House, Eugene Arhin, said the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia formed the Commission with consent from President Akufo-Addo.

According to the statement, the Commission is also to inquire into any matter which it 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.