Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised President Akufo-Addo for rewarding what he refers to as “beneficiaries of electoral violence.”
The NDC Chair says almost every person that benefited from electoral violence since the NPP gained power has been rewarded, something he says has empowered those involved in such acts to continue to perpetuate them.
He says the development has taught the NDC a lesson going into the December 2024 elections. According to him, none of the perpetrators of the recent violent incidents has been punished, including culprits cited by the Commission that probed the disturbances at the infamous Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia also listed the violence in Techiman which claimed about 8 lives as one of the incidents where the culprits have been left unpunished.
He has been telling Nana Yaa Brefo Danso on Yen Nsempa
“About 8 persons were killed in the past elections and up to date, nobody has been charged and no arrest has been made. Also, no one has been arrested or charged for the violence at the Ayawaso by-election was violence. Those that were even implicated in the Commission they set to probe the incident have not been touched. So looking at all the people who died and got injured in vain, there is something in psychology called ‘carrot and stick’ approach and that’s what is going on.
“If a government fails to punish persons involved in series of violence from its supporters over a period then it means the government is in support of it and the people know it is the violence that gives them reward.
“Even the ministers who were recently selected, some of them are beneficiaries of electoral violence. Adjei Mensah Korsah was elected amid the Techiman violence and today he is Minister of Local Government. The Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election produced Seyram Alhassan and today she has been given an appointment.
“Bryan Acheampong who ordered for the people to perpetrate the violence at Ayawaso has also been made a minister. The woman whose husband was killed by thugs on a campaign trail has also been made a minister. So, what does Akufo-Addo want to tell them? He is rewarding beneficiaries of violence.
“So, if he speaks about election violence knowing he has been rewarding beneficiaries of it, who wouldn’t go into an election with violence?” he maintained.
