Majority Chief Whip in Parliament Frank Annor Dompreh is demanding equity in the condemnation of by-election violence that have rocked the state over the past years.
According to him, demanding justice and compensation for the victims of the Ayawaso West Wuogon (AWW) by-election violence and neglecting those of Atiwa, Chereponi and Akwatia is discriminatory.
Injustice perpetrated anywhere, he said, should be condemned unreservedly in the pursuit of healing and to demonstrate an attitude of fairness to all victims of such incidents.
The Chief Whip and member for Nsawam Adoagyiri made the demand when he contributed to a statement by MP for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, in commemoration of the second anniversary of the AWW by-election violence.
He stated that as the calls continue to ring out in demand for thorough investigation and payment of compensation to deserving victims of Ayawaso, Ghanaians should not gloss over the injustices perpetrated during the Atiwa by-election.
He said, “Atiwa was more bloody. The Chereponi and Akwatia by-election violence cannot be lost on us. Guns were pointed at Ghanaians in broad daylight and shot. The blood and souls of those lost are still crying for justice.”
“In our pursuit to ensure there is justice for the good people of our country, we should pay attention to all Ghanaians who have suffered from these outbreaks of violence during by-elections.”
Mr. Annor-Dompreh observed that in the case of Ayawaso, the government responded positively by setting up a Commission of Inquiry to probe the incident that eventually led to the enactment of the anti-vigilantism law to guide the country.
“This government deserves commendation for that. I will not support violence perpetrated on any Ghanaian but it is important we recognize the good step that this government has taken and learn lessons from there,” he added.
He said it is important not to cherry-pick on what happened in the recent by-election but to do a thorough retrospection and take a cue from all the happenings in the past.
He wondered why the Speaker admitted the statement because it alienates other victims of election violence.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Alban S.K Bagbin, in response, urged the Majority Chief Whip and other members of his side to bring up specific statements on violent incidents at by-elections they have information on.
Parliament, he said, needs to heal the nation and said, “I want specifics and I will admit them and we can discuss them on the floor of the House.”
“We will try as a House to lead, and this matter is important so it is good that you have raised them. But let’s get specific incidents and then we discuss them and know what actions to take,” he said.
