Bryan Acheampong Describes Ayawaso as His Political Downfall.
Former Minister of State at the National Security Ministry, Mr. Bryan Acheampong, expressed that the parliamentary by-election in Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency was his downfall due to the violence that occurred on January 31, 2019.
During his vetting by the Appointment Committee of Parliament, he sympathized with those who were wounded during the event and stated that the Ayawaso violence was a blemish on Ghana’s democracy. He mentioned that the Government ensured the wounded were treated at the 37 Military Hospital, and their medical bills were paid for by the state.
Mr. Acheampong explained that he had gone through the over 500-page report of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission of Enquiry, and his name was not mentioned anywhere as having done anything wrong.
He mentioned that persons from the Special Weapons and Tactics Team were deployed under the command of Deputy Superintendent of Police Samuel Azugu, under the authority of the Director of Operations of the National Security Secretariat, and with the ultimate responsibility of the Minister of State at the Ministry of National Security.
He questioned why the findings would end at his doorstep when he was not part of the operation and did not receive any evidence against him.
The nominee stated that the Commission did not recommend his prosecution, but it placed an individual liability on him.
He mentioned that the House had passed a law to address political vigilantism following the unfortunate incident and added that Ghana was self-sufficient in food production. If given the green light, he would ensure that improved seeds were made available to farmers to increase productivity.