The Minority in Parliament has reiterated its call on government to release the Justice Emile Short Commission report on the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence without delay.
The Government has turned down Minority’s request for the publication of the report to inform the crafting of an anti-vigilantism law in Parliament, arguing that the President has up until six months for him to do so.
But according to Minority, government’s ‘six months’ argument does not fall in line with what is enshrined in the constitution.
[contextly_sidebar id=”mSopTryFdjn0QhjRPt6cfELaOsXDVsEh”]Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu who spoke on Eyewitness News, insisted that his caucus is doing no wrong to have the recommendations and findings known for public interest as government is bent on second suggesting the Constitution.
“I heard the Information Minister saying [they have] up to [six months] to release the report. Article 278 in the constitution does not say ‘up to’. It says ‘within’ which can even be three, four days or a month or two. We are not wrong. There is a period by which an explanatory Memorandum should be established. What is compelling is that the vigilantism bill presented to Parliament in its explanatory memorandum makes reference to the Ayawaso West violence commission report and findings. This findings and recommendations have not been made public to the Ghanaian. How does it inform legislation?”
“The President set up the Commision with public resources. We therefore have every right to know what was established by the Emile Short Commission. We as a Minority are demanding that if President Akufo-Addo believes accountability and transparency, he must make public findings of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence report consistent with Article 278 of the 1992 constitution,” Haruna Iddriu added.
Nana Addo won’t be rushed to release Short Commission report – Oppong Nkrumah
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says the President will not be stampeded into releasing the Emile Short Commission report on the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.
Speaking to Citi News, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah indicated that the ongoing processes are not affected in any way by the fact that the commission’s report has not been published.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also said the release of the report would not have a bearing on the crafting of the law.
“Why do we suppose that without a public outing of the Emile Short commission report, persons cannot contribute to the Vigilantism Bill? It is a strange argument to make,” he stated.
If an input from the report is needed, the Minister said the Interior Ministry could be made privy to the report to aid the crafting of the law.
“He can be authorized by the President to have a reading and inform the discussions on the legislation with whatever recommendations are relevant to the Bill we are passing.”