“Hawa Koomson’s Action Confirms Political Vigilantism Is Still In Existence” – CCSAPV
The Leadership of Coalition of Civil Societies Against Political Vigilantism (CCSAPV) has described the action taken by Minister for Special Development Initiative, Mavis Hawa Koomson at Monday's Voter Registration Exercise at the Step to Christ Registration Centre in the Awutu Senya East Constituency as disappointing and a clear confirmation that political vigilantism is still in existence in Ghana.
According to CCSAPV, Government must be held responsible for the violence, assault and atrocities meted on innocent Ghanaian citizens at the ongoing registration exercise at the various centers.
In a statement released and signed by its Acting Chairman, Eben Kwaku Fenuku, it said “Thugs who are members of some Vigilante groups recruited and integrated into the security services have been spotted moving from one registration center to the other in Toyota Land cruisers and other branded vehicles intimidating, beating and threatening innocent voters who have queued to register”
The statement also added that the individuals wielding ammunitions and all kinds of assault weapons on rampage, are emboldened because of government’s refusal to implement the Emile Short Commission's recommendations on the Ayawaso West Wuogon By-Election violence.
The Coalition further noted that it is completely shocked stressing that it has been one year and some months after the incident but President Akufo-Addo has refused to implement even one of the recommendations presented by the Emile Short Commission on 14th March, 2019.
“As a result, perpetrators of such crime against the innocent electorates continue to walk shoulder high and this will eventually encourage others with similar ambition to soldier on. Government’s refusal to punish perpetrators of the Ayawaso West Wuogon By-Elections violence makes mockery of government’s commitment to fight political vigilantism” Eben Kwaku Fenuku noted.
The CCSAPV says if drastic actions are not taken, this will not only motivate but embolden others with similar intentions to cause mayhem at the 2020 upcoming general elections.
“The evidence of possible mayhem that may characterize the 2020 General Elections is the shadow of violence being recorded at some registration centers in the on-going Voter’s Registration Exercise across the country. For instance, the brutalities at Awutu Senya East (Kasoa) where Mr Ebenezer Agbo Tei was attacked on his head with blood all over his body is a public knowledge” the statement revealed.
The Leadership of CCSAPV further hinted that there have also been several reports of shooting incidents in the Awutu Senya East Constituency of which the police are yet to take actions.
ThinkNewsOnline has gathered that at Asutifi South, there was another attack where a gentleman sustained deep a cut close to his right eye.
Similarly, some militia operatives with mask covering their faces have been terrorizing registrants at some registration centers adding that the same can also be said for Dorma West.
The Coalition says it has also noted with regret the lukewarm attitude of State Security Agencies towards these happenings ahead of 2020 General Elections.
The Leadership of CCSAPV said “We therefore call on government to rescind its decision and withdraw the initial White Paper Report which sort to decline the implementation of the commission’s recommendations to the fullest. This in our view, will serve as a deterrent to any individual, group of persons or organizations harboring similar ambitions”
It however appealed to State Security Institutions to take matters of vigilantism seriously and also ensure that justice is dispensed fairly and equally to inspire confidence in the general public.
The Coalition of Civil Societies Against Political Vigilantism (CCSAPV) says if measures are taken, it will discourage the public from seeking personal and instant justice adding that coming events cast their shadows.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith