Two members of parliament have petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) invoking the mandate of the Commission to investigate the killings and other gross human right violations that occurred during the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The MPs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, North Tongu constituency and Emmanuel Kofi Buah, Ellembelle constituency filed the petition against the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Defence as well as the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces.
“The Minister for the Interior is the appointee of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana and has oversight responsibility for the Ghana Police service.
“The Minister of Defence is the appointee of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana and has oversight responsibility for the Ghana Armed Forces.
“The Inspector-General of the Ghana Police Service is by virtue of article 202 of the 1992 Constitution, the head of the Police Service ‘responsible for the operational control’ and ‘the administration’ of the Police Service.
“The Chief of Defence Staff is by virtue of article 213 of the 1992 Constitution, responsible for the operational control and command of the Ghana Armed Forces. During the general elections held in the Republic of Ghana in or about December 7, 2020, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces established a National Election Security Taskforce (NESTF) to support the effort to ensure smooth and transparent conduct of the said elections. This was necessary for purposes of safeguarding the democratic values and principles of free and fair elections.
“This effort was also necessary to provide citizens of the Republic of Ghana including voters with security during the conduct of the elections. Apart from the NESTF, there were other members of the Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces who played diverse roles during the period of the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
“The complaint is restricted to the Techiman South, Odododiodio, Ablekuma Central, and Savelugu constituencies in the Bono East, Greater Accra and Northern Regions of the Republic of Ghana respectively.
“The complaint relates to the manner in which the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces discharged their constitutional and statutory mandates in the constituencies mentioned above.
In the case of the Ghana Armed Forces, their conduct in furtherance of the purpose of the NESTF did not promote the development of Ghana as prescribed by article 210(3) of the 1992 Constitution, as their conduct caused damage to life, limb and property.
Regarding the Ghana Police service, the manner in which they carried out their functions to further the purpose of the NESTF undermined their constitutional obligation under article 200(3) of performing their “traditional role of maintaining law and order.”
The two MPs want disciplinary action and prosecution of those who caused the death of the seven persons who lost their lives and those who sustained injuries.
The affected constituencies are Techiman South, Odododiodoo, Savelugu, and Ablekuma.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com
