Ayawaso West Wuogon violence crime against humanity – Sam George wants ICC trial

Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Constituency Samuel George Nartey has described as “crimes against humanity” the violence which occurred during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, injuring at least six people.

According to the MP, who was himself manhandled by armed men believed to be pro-NPP vigilante group Invisible Forces, leaders in other countries have been put before the International Criminal Court (ICC) to answer charges of crimes against humanity for similar incidents.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day on Friday, January 8, he emphasized that the Minister of State in-charge of National Security, Bryan Acheampong, who openly admitted he deployed the masked men, should have been tried in the law court.

“In fact, more powerful men who have held more powerful position that Bryan Acheampong holds in this administration have been put before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity because what went on there on the 31st of January were crimes against humanity,” he said.

The former presidential staffer also raised some concerns about the setting up of the Emile Short-led Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence, noting similar commissions such as the Wuaku Commission and the Ghana @ 50 Commissions failed to prosecute anyone.

“That you cannot use the report of a commission to prosecute a criminal matter,” he said, referring to the Wuaku Commission and Ghana @ 50 Commission.

He claims there is a section of the public who believe that the Emile Short Commission, which was inaugurated on Friday, is an attempt by the government to cover up the violence.

Sam George expects the Attorney General to commence a criminal prosecution against perpetrators of the violence, explaining “the people involved are known”.

He argued that since Bryan Acheampong has owned up to the matter, he becomes a person of interest who the police must interrogate.

He added that the most disturbing part is the fact that the armed masked men operated under the instructions of the National Security Council, which he said is headed by the President who is “incompetent at best, complicit at worst”.

He maintained the Inspector General of Police has lost control of the Ghana Police Service, considering the conduct of the masked men.