Akufo-Addo reinstates Upper West Regional Minister

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, 4 May 2018, reinstated, with immediate effect, the suspended Upper West Regional Minister, Alhassan Suleman, following the completion of police investigations into the attack on the Upper West Regional offices of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), in Wa, which led to the suspension.

President Akufo-Addo’s decision, according to a statement from the presidency, is informed by police investigations, for which a report dated 22 February 2018, was submitted to him, after which a “thorough assessment of the report was undertaken”.

The report exonerates the Regional Minister from any wrongdoing in the unfortunate incident of 31st January, 2018, including attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Nine persons – Kamal Ismail, Bongaamwini Issahaku, Salifu Seidu Adnan, Abdulai Hakeem, Suglo Nugu, Dakura Peter, Nuhu Mohammed, Kasim Dramani and Issah Salifu – who are alleged to have been responsible for the criminal action, have been arraigned for prosecution, having been charged with the following offences:

1. Conspiracy to commit crime to wit assault contrary to Sections 23 and 84 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);

2. Assault contrary to Section 84 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);

3. Conspiracy to commit crime to wit threat of harm contrary to Sections 23 and 74 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);

4. Threat of death contrary to Section 74 of the Criminal Offences Act, 196, (Act 29); and

5. Rioting contrary to Section 196 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The statement signed by Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin, said the judicial proceedings are ongoing.