Mustapha Abubakar, the NDC’s Manifesto Spokesperson on Zongo Affairs and former Deputy CEO of MASLOC has criticized the government’s inability to resolve the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.
The incident, which involved masked men physically assaulting individuals during the by-election to replace the late Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko, remains unresolved nearly four years later.
Addressing members of the Songhai community in Kasoa on November 16, Abubakar emphasized the NDC’s commitment to justice.
He assured attendees that an NDC government would bring closure to the matter and ensure accountability for those who endured the violence.
The event was part of efforts to rally Kasoa’s youth behind the NDC’s vision for the 2024 elections.
“I am not happy about the way the Ayawaso West Wuogon issue has been handled by this government. Former President Mahama has visited the victims and at a point made some donations to some of them. He even went to the extent of sponsoring their trip to the hospital.
“We are not happy with it and that is why President Mahama has said in our manifesto that all those found culpable will be dealt with when President Mahama becomes President,” Mustapha Abubakar said.
According to Mustapha Abubakar, who is also the Manifesto Spokesperson on Zongo Affairs some party members of the NDC who were physically assaulted during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections have not seen justice after the incident.
He explained that some of the individuals who were assaulted by the thugs are struggling to survive as most of them have routine checkups at the hospital.
He expressed worry that the government has turned a blind eye to the problem, failing to prosecute the suspects who were arrested.
The Manifesto spokesperson on Zongo Affairs expressed worry over the treatment of the Songhai group within the Zongo community tagging them as non-Ghanaians.
He indicated the NDC’s plans for the Zongo community while accusing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of doing little to change the fortunes of the people of the Zongo community.
The leadership of the Songhai community in Kasoa described the treatment being meted out to the Songhai community as unfortunate and gave the background of their history.
Alhaji Mohammed Seidu, General Secretary of the Songhai Caucus explains that the situation has been worse, particularly during the voter registration and the Ghana card exercise where their people were sidelined.
“Our ancestors hail from Malibu and settled in the Northern part of Ghana particularly the Savannah area before Independence. But till now various governments have failed to recognize us. Our people are mostly into trade and we are decent people.
“The NPP government have not been fair to us and so we are supporting the NDC for victory since they are the party that has supported us,” the General Secretary said.
Source: Calvis Tetteh