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Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Interior Minister, has urged the government to pay compensation to the relatives of those killed in election-related violence during the general elections in 2020 and 2024.
His comments come after Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), submitted two distinct reports to President John Dramani Mahama in response to a government order to give comprehensive updates on the incidents’ investigations.
Speaking to the media about the investigations’ conclusions, the Minister disclosed that throughout the two election years, there were 12 violent episodes that resulted in 15 fatalities and more than 40 injuries. Bono East, Greater Accra, Bono, Savannah, and the Northern Region were among the regions hardest hit.
The Minister claims that 11 new dockets have been started and 21 suspects have been identified thus far. Five suspects have been remanded, while four are currently being held by the police. Additionally, he revealed that during the investigations, 50 military people were questioned.
To apprehend other suspects who are still at large, a warrant has been obtained.
The Minister informed the media about particular situations, pointing out that the election security task force is now speaking with the victim’s family directly in the 2024 Awutu Senya incident.
In a different development, he has ordered the Tolon District Police Command to apprehend Alhaji Yakubu, a key suspect, and his suspected accomplices right away.
He also ordered the release and discharge of six individuals who were earlier arrested during an initial swoop but were later found to be wrongfully detained.
He added that the Ministry will soon conduct forensic and ballistic analysis to support the ongoing investigations.
Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak further assured the public that the government remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all persons culpable in the election violence are held accountable.
He clarified that the Inspector General of Police established a special task team under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on January 16, 2025, to work with stakeholders in examining and looking into any violent cases involving fatalities related to elections.
“The special investigative task force identified 12 cases that took place during the 2020 and 2024 general election. These cases had resulted in 15 deaths across the country and well over 40 individuals got injured. The report outlined detailed account of all the 12 cases recorded during the period,” he affirmed.
A thorough analysis of these instances, including how police were informed and the actions taken, is given in the report.
“The report further detailed action taken when the special investigative task force took over the cases at level initially investigators had reached and detailed findings derived from further interviews, interrogations, full visits, reconstruction of crime and crime scene, and forensic analysis of various materials of evidence retrieved during the investigation” he added.
This comprehensive strategy seeks to improve justice and accountability. “Every violent incident recorded during the general election presents various criminal offences which will have been committed by different persons involved,” the minister emphasized.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
