By Gifty Amofa, GNA
Accra, Nov. 4, GNA – Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister of Interior, has directed the full implementation of recommendations from the Special Investigation Taskforce on election violence to ensure justice prevails.
Addressing the media in Accra, he said the report, which was submitted to the President, covered incidents from the 2020 and 2024 general elections, including the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.
He disclosed that four cases were currently pending in court, three were under investigation, and two had been resolved by the parties involved.
Quoting the report, Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak said military involvement in crowd control should cease to prevent deaths resulting from excessive force.
“There were instances of clear breaches of discipline, violations of legal requirements and total neglects by officers who were either present or responsible for situations that required prompt and responsive actions,” he said.
In some cases, the Minister noted, security personnel used live ammunition, leading to fatalities and injuries.
The report documented 12 cases of electoral violence across both elections, resulting in 15 deaths and 39 injuries.
According to the Minister, the 2020 elections recorded six cases, eight deaths, and 30 injuries, while the 2024 elections saw six cases, seven deaths, and nine injuries.
The report recommended improved coordination of election security management to determine appropriate use of force during crowd control.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak assured Ghanaians of government’s commitment to ending electoral violence.
“Perpetrators of the violence would be prosecuted, families of deceased would be compensated whilst those injured would also be given the due compensation,” he said.
The Minister named the affected constituencies as Ablekuma Central, Ahafo Ano West, Awutu Senya, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Banda Ahenkro, Damango, Nkoransa South, Odododiodio, Savelugu, and Techiman South.
He called for the empowerment of all security personnel to prevent future occurrences.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey