On January 31, 2019, Accra saw a peaceful morning as people went about their daily lives. On the other hand, the dynamic and exuberant atmosphere in the Ayawaso West Wougon Constituency was altogether different.
Following the passing of the previous MP, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko, the electorate was prepared to choose a new representative.
Lydia Seyeram Alhassan, the late MP’s wife, was selected to run on the NPP ticket, which her late husband used to enter the legislature. NDC, the biggest opposition party, also put Delali Brempong forth as a candidate. These two powerful political parties are hotly disputed in elections.
The calm beginning of the procedure quickly took an unexpected turn. At one of the polling locations, there was a miscommunication. Before long, black-clad men were spotted with firearms.
Some individuals who were thought to be supporters of the opposition NDC were subsequently told to leave the voting grounds by the armed men, who claimed to be members of the national security forces.
They started to fire live warning shots. When the panic struck, everyone began to take control of their own lives. However, not everyone was able to reach safety unscathed. In the excitement of the moment, over ten people were hurt.
The violence that followed forced the opposition NDC to withdraw from the contest. President Akufo-Addo constituted a commission to look into the outbreak of violence during the by-elections.
Compensation for the victims was one of the committee’s recommendations, although it hasn’t been paid yet. Among the people who were shot that day and survived was Ishawu Yaro.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Yaro identified himself as one of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) monitors sent to keep an eye on the by-elections.
The armed guys, posing as national security agents, told him to get out of the voting area. As Ishawu tried to run, he was shot in the right leg intermittently.
He uses crutches to help him because he is paralyzed in his right leg now. The day he was shot, his goal of playing professional football was dashed.
