Renowned private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has called on the government to revisit and act on the Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission of Inquiry report before seeking justice for the recent political violence during the Ablekuma North parliamentary re-run.
Speaking during an interview on TV3’s ‘Keypoint’ show, Mr. Kpebu drew a direct connection between the chaotic scenes in Ablekuma North and the unresolved issues surrounding the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence in 2019, stressing that the failure to implement recommendations from that inquiry has entrenched a culture of impunity in Ghanaian politics.
“The moment I saw what happened in Ablekuma North, my mind went back to Ayawaso West Wuogon. That report has been gathering dust. Not all the victims were even compensated,” he noted.
The Ablekuma North re-run, held on July 11, 2025, was marred by pockets of violence, including an alleged attack on former Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson. The incident has triggered widespread condemnation and renewed concerns about electoral violence in the country.
Government Criticised for Inaction
Mr. Kpebu did not mince words in criticising the previous Akufo-Addo administration, accusing it of deliberately ignoring the Commission’s findings.
“Those who were supposed to be prosecuted were not. Government simply looked away. That is the impunity we’ve been talking about for years,” he said.
The Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission, established in the wake of violence during a 2019 by-election, made several key recommendations, including the prosecution of certain security personnel and compensation for victims. However, little to no action has been taken on the report since its submission, drawing sharp criticism from civil society and legal minds alike.
“No Justice Without Accountability”
Mr. Kpebu warned that any efforts to seek justice for the Ablekuma North incidents will fall short if the government continues to ignore past recommendations.
“If we truly want justice, then pick up the Ayawaso West Wuogon report and start from there. Otherwise, some people will continue to act as if they are above the law.”
He emphasized that both incidents Ayawaso and Ablekuma can and should be addressed concurrently, but priority must be given to the earlier case to restore public confidence and send a strong message that no one is beyond accountability.
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