Former President John Mahama and veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr have criticised the Ghana Police Service’s boycott of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence commemoration. According to them, the Service’s refusal to provide security for organisers of the one year anniversary of the sad happening is an indictment on its professionalism. Mr Mahama speaking at the event Friday said when he read a message reported to have been issued by the Service warning officers who come close to the event of being sanctioned.“I read it and I felt sad but our police officers must remember that their dedication to duty is to the state and they should remain neutral and non-partisan,” he said.  The NDC flagbearer said when he wins the 2020 elections, he will work to ensure that Ghanaians’ confidence in the police is restored. Also criticising the police’s action at the event was editor-in-chief of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. According to him, “this is the first time in my life and perhaps the first time in recorded history that a police institution is calling on policemen not to provide security. Now if the police are not providing security, what is the police there for?”Mr Pratt questioned what the use of the police is if they are not ready to provide security at such events with the former president and other leaders in attendance.A supposed wireless message by the police on Thursday signed by Emmanuel Afriyie Sakyi said they were informed, “from the regional command indicates that the NDC and others intended to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.”However, there was a directive that “no police officer should be detailed to provide security for the event. Indeed all police officers within the region must dissociate themselves from the event.”It concluded that “any officer found to have availed his/himself at the ceremony will be severely sanctioned. Accept for strict compliance.”The by-election which was held on January 31, 2019, was marred by a shooting incident at the residence of Mr Kwasi Delali Brempong, the NDC candidate, which resulted in injuries to 18 persons.An observer at one of the polling stations was also assaulted.At the La Bawaleshie School Park, the NDC MP for Ningo Prampram, Mr Samuel Nartey George, who was observing the elections, was allegedly assaulted by some unidentified persons.The incident also resulted in the opposition party directing its agents to withdraw from the various polling stations.