The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has ordered the full enforcement of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations—nearly six years after the report was first submitted to government.
He said the decision aims to restore public trust in Ghana’s security institutions and ensure justice for victims of politically motivated violence during elections.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Mr. Mubarak criticised the previous administration for failing to act on the Commission’s findings, which he said had allowed impunity to fester within parts of the security establishment.
“For far too long, the recommendations of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission of Inquiry have remained largely unimplemented,” he stated. “This government will not allow the Commission’s work to gather dust. We are taking concrete steps to ensure that every directive and sanction is enforced.”
Coordinated Implementation
The Interior Minister announced that his ministry, in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s Department, the Ghana Police Service, and the National Security Council, has been directed to fully carry out the report’s recommendations.
These measures include:
- Prosecution of officers found culpable for election-related violence,
- Payment of compensation to victims, and
- Institutional reforms within the security agencies to prevent future occurrences.
Background
The Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Emile Short, was established in February 2019 following violent clashes at La-Bawaleshie during a parliamentary by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.
Its final report, submitted to the Presidency in March 2019, recommended that:
- No masked or hooded operatives be deployed for civilian or electoral duties;
- Strict controls be placed on the issuance of weapons to security personnel;
- Victims of violence receive financial compensation; and
- A permanent command and control centre be created to coordinate internal security operations during elections.
Despite widespread calls from civil society and Parliament, most of these recommendations were never implemented.
Renewed Commitment
Mr. Mubarak said the new directive under President John Dramani Mahama marked a decisive break from past inaction and demonstrated the government’s resolve to uphold accountability and justice.
“We owe it to the victims and to all Ghanaians to ensure that such violations never happen again,” he concluded.
