Justice For Martyred Zongo Brothers Now Or Take Full Responsibility – Sheikh Hussein Mubarak
President of Zongo Democrats – Ghana, Hussein Mubarak in a press statement said, justice must be served concerning the death of some Zongo indigenes who were martyred in the 7th December, 2020 general elections.
A year ago, Ghana witnessed what will be a blot on our resolve to safeguard our democratic dispensation, when innocent lives, whose only crime was to protect the ballot, were mowed down by security personnel deployed to Polling Stations during the 2020 Elections, the statement said:
Zongo Democrats have observed with grave concern, the reluctance of the President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, his appointees heading various state institutions to bring closure to the sad killings.
Footages of the despicable incidents, in which men in Police and Military uniform went viral and have since been officially presented to the Police Criminal Investigations Department but unfortunately and contrary to the Public Relations gimmick by the Police Administration under the current, IGP COP Dr George Akuffo-Dampare, there has been no update, no public briefing by way of press releases on steps being taken to expose the perpetrators to ensure justice for the departed souls, let alone compensation for their dependents and families as well as victims still traumatized and struggling to survive.
Zongo Democrats, is well aware of attempts by the opposition NDC through Parliament to conduct a bi-partisan investigations into the incidents and counter moves made.
According to the statement, the group is also closely following statements by various stakeholders including the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, (CHRAJ) on calls for investigations as well as the National Investigations Bureau, NIB which has suggested the deepening polarization in the country could degenerate during the next general elections.
As we speak, there is no evidence of any state sponsored effort to appease the dead, lost souls we choose to honour as Matyred Zongo brothers who sought to protect the 1992 Constitution.
Today, those who sponsored, carried out the barbaric acts, benefitted from the heinous crime are still walking free.
The group mentioned names such as Ayaric Abdallah – Techiman South, Taajudeen Alhassan – Techiman South, Ibrahim Abass – Ablekuma Central, Samira Zakaria – Savelugu including those who were either maimed or died from the violence recorded at Odododiodio.
Zongo Democrats is concerned about the delayed justice especially in other cases currently before court. One is the Ablekuma Central incident which also left other victims including a Police Inspector, Nixon Awuni and Pius Kwanin, a journalist with the Global News Watch and Rashid Umar, and a trader who reportedly is the NDC Vice Chairman of Sabon Zongo injured.
Zongo Democrats stand by all who wish to protect the peace and sanctity of Ghana. We therefore find it very disturbing the creeping culture of impunity, where the state through persons recruited as national security operatives or security personnel abuse the rights of citizens with impunity and continue to walk free.
We call on the IGP, COP Dr. George Akufo Dampare to demonstrate commitment to protect the respect he has earned to institute an immediate investigation into the incidents to disabuse the minds of skeptics suspecting some executive control on this subject matter.
An to parliament, the statement said, its been months since the Minority in parliament moved a motion on this subject. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin must show leadership to reflect his own utterances that he is occupying that seat for the ordinary Ghanaian. We ask what has happened since and why the long silence?
Zongo Democrats as peace loving citizens will stand by the victims till the full investigative report is out. We believe the findings, beyond punishment of those involved will serve as lessons to prevent further bloodshed in subsequent elections.
Events of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections are still fresh in the minds of Ghanaians and we strongly believe the international community is fully aware of the tight rope Ghana is hanging on.
The earlier we get things right to save our democracy, the better.
We therefore wish to call on the President, The Vice President, The Majority and the Minority Leaders, Muslim Caucus in Parliament, The IGP, the Office of the National Chief Imam to urge the state institutions responsible for the application of justice to, as a matter of urgency expedite action.
Having always been the characteristic of the Zongo Democrats, we finally wish to call on all our Zongo youth and all the youth of Ghana, to remain calm as we explore all legitimate and democratic means to resolve the impasse and bring justice to our Zongo people (the martyred and the disabled), the statement said
We pray and beseech Allah’s mercy on them and all other departed souls. May Allah forgive their trespasses and grant them deserving rewards for their sacrifices for God and Country.
Source: Franklin Cadwell
