The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has condemned the violent incident that occurred at the La-Bawaleshie JHS polling station in the course of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-election on Thursday, 31 January 2019.

“We strongly condemn such impunity and brazen acts of violence which undermine Ghana’s hard-earned democracy and peace,” Ms Gita Welch, Resident Representative of the UNDP said in a statement.

Thursday’s by-election was marred by violence at La-Bawaleshie JHS polling station when some macho men believed to be National Security operatives, fired shots into a crowd of voters and injured six people.

The UNDP further called on all Ghanaians to “avoid violence” and the “use of inflammatory language that could further increase tensions”.

Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was eventually elected as MP-elect for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency. Ms Alhassan, one of the widows of the late MP for the area, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyapong, won the poll by 12, 041 votes representing 68.30%.

Below is the statement:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been following the ongoing bye-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, with keen interest, as this is a further illustration of the democratic process that is embedded in Ghana.

However, our attention has been drawn to media reports of violence and a shooting incident by unidentified armed men at the La-Bawalashie Presby JHS polling station during the by-election, leading to the injury of at least six people.

We strongly condemn such impunity and brazen acts of violence which undermine Ghana’s hard-earned democracy and peace.

Ghana as a pillar of stability in the sub-region, must not become complacent. We call on all to avoid violence and the use of inflammatory language that could further increase tensions.

Signed By:

Ms Gita Welch

Resident Representative (a.i)