The Minister of the Interior, Mr Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has updated the press and the public on violent cases which took lives and left some injured during the 2024 General Elections.
In a press conference on Tuesday, the Minister highlighted the various violent cases and measures that have been put in place to compensate the families of the deceased and penalise the culprit.
He said the people involved in the incident have avoided speaking with the task force; hence, their opinions have not been established. Adding that, some of the victims who were injured from the gunshots have been flown abroad for further treatment.
The Minister reiterated that reports of families who lost a member due to this violence have been forwarded to the Attorney General, and the state will compensate them.
He added that the task force observed that there are sophisticated weapons in communities such as Nyankpala and Tolon, which serve as a matter of pride among the youth in those communities.
Mr Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak advised the National Small Arms Commission, other state authorities and traditional leaders to sensitise members of these two communities on the dangers associated with handling weapons and the rights to follow when offended by others.
He stated that persons who were arrested by the police during the stop and search exercise conducted immediately after the incident have been discharged, while efforts are directed at arresting those who actually were engaged in the firing.
The Minister also mentioned that directing rifle shots at the crowd cannot be an acceptable crowd control method since it endangers the lives of the fleeing youth and bystanders; therefore, police officers must be careful when firing warning shots.
He assured the press that the task force will continue with its investigations until all the culprits are identified and penalised. Similarly, the government will continue to work with all stakeholders to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that elections in the country are peaceful.
Deborah Narkie Nartey, ISD
