Publish Emilie Short Commission report now – NDC chases Akufo-Addo

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is mounting pressure on President Nana Akufo-Addo to immediately publish the full report of the Emile Short Commission of Enquiry.

The Commission was set up by the President to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence that broke out during the bye-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency on 31st January 2019 that left many injured.

Many have described the dastardly act as a state-sponsored one after it emerged that most of the masked men who unleashed violence in the constituency were among a pro-NPP vigilante group.

After the Commission submitted it’s report, almost a month ago following a public sitting, President Akufo-Addo is yet to act.

But just before the NDC meets the NPP on how to curb activities of party vigilate groups, it has asked for the Short Commission to be published.

“We recall that the Short Commission presented its report to the President on 15th March, 2019, and yet till date – almost a month, the President for some unknown reason, is sitting on the said report,” NDC spokesman, Sanmy Gyamfi said in a statement, addding the president’s delayee reaction “is a blatant disregard for the principles of transparency and accountability that [ he] the President swore to uphold.”

Below is the full statement;

For Immediate Release:

PUBLISH EMILE SHORT COMMISSION REPORT NOW.

The National Democratic Congress calls on the President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. Nana Akufo-Addo, to without any delay, publish in full, the report of the Emile Short Commission of Enquiry which was set up by the President to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence that broke out during the bye-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency on 31st January, 2019.

We recall that the Short Commission presented its report to the President on 15th March, 2019, and yet till date – almost a month, the President for some unknown reason, is sitting on the said report. This is a blatant disregard for the principles of transparency and accountability that the President swore to uphold. In spite of the fact that the NDC boycotted the proceedings of the Commission, we believe that the Ayawaso West Wuogon issue is a matter of intense national and international interest, and that the people of Ghana deserve to know the findings and recommendation of the Commission.

What makes this demand imperative is the fact that till date, the perpetrators of the violence at the bye-election who were captured live on videos, are still free and walking the streets of Ghana. What is even more disturbing is that we still do not know the status of the police investigation into the said matter, despite assurances to the country.

In the circumstances, we call on the President to cause to be published the full report of the Emile Short Commission immediately.

Signed,

SAMMY GYAMFI

National Communication Officer

Issued in Accra, on this 8th day of April, 2019.