NDC Donate To AWW By-Election Violence Victims

The Welfare Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has paid a visit to persons who were injured during the Ayawaso West Wougon by-election in 2019.

The victims were given items and cash worth GHS12, 000.

On January 31, 2019, violence erupted at the by-election held in the constituency.

The by-election was to find a replacement for the then sitting Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko, who had passed on.

The ensuing chaos was triggered by a shooting incident that left about six people injured.

Some National Security Operatives fired gunshots at a polling centre at La Bawaleshie, injuring about six persons believed to be NDC supporters during the election.

The NDC subsequently opted out of the race claiming it took the decision to avoid further attacks on their members.

The chairperson of the NDC’s Welfare committee, Dzifa Aku Attivor, who addressed the gathering, condemned the incident and called on the government to duly compensate the victims.

“Our mandate is to identify people who for one reason or the other have been side-lined…It is important to visit them and share the new NDC agenda with them whilst we identify their needs and make whatever small contribution we can make in their lives,” she explained.

She added that: “the call for compensation is in the right direction… I’m sure when they get their justice they will be happy. That is what they need.”

The spokesperson for the victims, who himself suffered injuries during the incident, Ishawu Yaro, said he was grateful to the party for the kind gesture and for footing his medical bills.

He said for the past year, he has not been able to engage in any physical work since the incident.

The by-election violence led to the setting up of the Emile Short Commission which probed the incident.

The White Paper on the commission’s work revealed that the government was in favour of compensation for persons who were injured in the National Security Operation.

Government through the White Paper turned down most of the recommendations made by the Commission.