The flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama has promised to punish persons who perpetrated violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019 if he is voted into power.

Mr Mahama said the persons who were affected by the unfortunate incident deserve justice and he will not look on unconcerned like the current administration has.

“The assault visited on innocent citizens at the hands of their own government, a government that was constitutionally bound to protect them will not pass in vain.

“At the appropriate time, the recommendations that were made to offer restitution and compensation to the victims will be acted upon under an NDC administration,” he said as he addressed party members at a ceremony to commemorate the first anniversary of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.

Former President Mahama said his administration will do everything within its power to ensure that these people do not only receive justice but adequate and fair compensation for the trauma they have gone through.

Police Service reform

Mr Mahama took on the Police Service for failing to act when the violence erupted during the by-election.

He said the Service owes Ghanaians and the State ‘service with integrity’ as their motto states but they have failed at that and are instead doing the bidding on the governing party.

“The NDC is coming and we will reform the Service,” he said, adding “our police officers must remain neutral and non-partisan in everything that they do.”

The Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election which took place on January 31, 2019, was marred by violence when armed men dressed in khaki trousers, black t-shirts and masks opened fire at the La Bawaleshie polling centre.

The commotion that ensued resulted in the NDC boycotting the elections.

Some Ghanaians who were left unimpressed by the development demanded answers and a commission of inquiry headed by Justice Francis Emile Short, was later established to investigate the violence.

That commission has since presented a report on its findings to the government but the recommendations in that report have yet to be implemented.