Today, Tuesday, 31 January 2023, marks the 4th anniversary of the violence that marred the Ayawaso by-elections in the Greater Accra Region.

Commemorating the occasion, the Coalition of Civil Societies Against Political Vigilantism (CCSAPV) has questioned why a single person has not been prosecuted yet for the violence that erupted during the by-election held in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.

“The Attorney-General appointed by the president is mandated by the Constitution to undertake the prosecution of all criminal offences including electoral offences. So the question is who and what has prevented the A-G so far from prosecuting at least one person in election related crimes for violating the laws,” the Coalition quizzed in a statement signed by its Chairman, Eben Kwaku Fenuku, on the occasion of the 4th anniversary.

The Coalition, noted that “the Attorney General also mandates the Police led by the IGP to prosecute some cases on its behalf. 

“The successful prosecution of electoral offences is contingent on effective Police investigation and gathering of the needed evidence for successful prosecution.”

The coalition further questioned “what has prevented the IGP all this while to trigger the prosecution of hoodlums in our electoral activities?

“Is it the case that there has not been any investigations? Or is there any unseen hands preventing the IGP and his officers from carrying out their duties?”

It, therefore, called on the IGP, Dr Akuffo Dampare, “to evoke the will power and re-activate investigations onto the Ayawaso West Wuogon by- election violence, the shooting and killing of eight persons during the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections for onward prosecution of those perpetrators and offenders.”

The Coalition stressed that: “This year would be a beehive of political activities as the various political parties would hold congresses to elect their flagbearers against the 2024 general elections. 

“Flagbearer elections are no joke at all because they are only one step less in magnitude and severity to Ghana’s general elections. Rigorous campaigning will invariably follow after the election of the flagbearers.”

It also expressed concerns over the readiness of the “Ghana Police Service, the Ministries of National Security, Defence and Interior,” on their readiness “to oversee all the activities without any glitches and with professionalism and mastery.”

It indicated that: “The 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections would be one of the most spic, crucial and keenly contested in the 4th Republic, therefore, the coalition is calling on the security operatives to rise to the occasion once more, they must be up and running, there cannot be any more room for error or mediocrity when precious human lives and property are at stake.

 “The performance of the security agencies this year may be a profound foreshadowing of their performances in the general elections next year. 2023 must be a dress rehearsal for the security agencies.”

The Coalition added: “Elections at any level is just a battle of opinions, a battle of ballots and not bullets. No one should lose a limb or life in the exercise of his or her franchise, it’s a fundamental human right that no one should be denied.”

On Thursday, 31 January 2019, during the by-election at Ayawaso West Wougon following the demise of the sitting MP, Emmanuel Kwabena Kyeremateng Agyarko, some masked national security operatives stormed the private residence of the main opposition National Democratic Congress’ candidate behind the La Bawaleshie Presbyterian Basic 1 School which was serving as a polling centre and opened fire.

Some constituents were hit and sustained gunshot wounds in the melee.

The incident, which happened just about two hours into voting also triggered a chaotic scene at the polling centre and caused the NDC to pull out of the by-election for the safety of the party agents.