Private legal practitioner and citizen, Lawrence Kwesi Botchway Jnr, has officially petitioned the President of the Republic of Ghana, to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence and human rights abuses that marred the Ablekuma North Parliamentary rerun.
In a detailed petition submitted to the Jubilee House, Lawyer Botchway cited disturbing incidents of violence, including physical attacks on journalists, a former Minister of State, and party officials.
He referenced videos and evidence documenting assaults on Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson, JoyNews reporter Sally Martey, ATV journalist Vida Wiafe, GHOne journalist Kwabena Agyekum Banahene, and NPP party official Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah.
According to the petitioner, the rerun election, ordered after legal disputes following the December 2024 general election, was disrupted by organized groups of “macho men” who assaulted voters and disrupted the process while police stood by and failed to act.
Mr. Botchway invoked Article 278(1)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, urging the President to use his constitutional powers to investigate the violence in the public interest. He also called for the Commission to examine the conduct of the security services, especially the National Election Security Task Force, and the role of the Minister for the Interior.
The petition seeks justice, accountability, and possible compensation for victims. It also highlights the continued threat electoral violence poses to Ghana’s democracy, six years after the Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission of Inquiry.
The petition has been copied to the Council of State and the Speaker of Parliament for their attention.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com