There are no vigilante groups in NDC-Sam George

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, on Monday told the Short Commission the party does not own vigilante groups.

Appearing before the three-member Commission investigating by-election violence at Ayawaso West-Wuogon constituency, the lawmaker said the social democratic party does not recognize such groupings.

However, he said some vigilante groups such as the Azorka Boys and the Hawks “owe allegiance to individuals” within the party.

“They are not recognized but are affiliated to the NDC…  They may have patrons but not with the party,” the legislator who was assaulted during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election told the fact-finding commission.

George pointed out that although political parties may distance themselves from such vigilante groups, they are direct beneficiaries.

“I believe that it will be naïve for me to suggest that political parties may not benefit from these groups. They owe allegiance to individuals who have political agenda and the political party is just a vehicle and ends up being beneficiaries,” the Ningo-Prampram MP said.

Motorbike allegation

He also dismissed claims by the National Security Minister that he arrived at the La Bawaleshie polling station during the by-election with 15 men on motorbikes.

The claims had earlier been made by the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah and the Commander of the SWAT team DSP Samuel Azugu that Mr. George arrived at the polling station with 15 men on motorbikes ostensibly to foment trouble.

Mr. George said those claims are pure fabrication adding that he drove to the election grounds alone in his vehicle.

Mr. George narrated that there were more than 20 gun shots by the masked heavily built men who he said assaulted him and other people during the by-election.

The Ningo-Prampram MP also after a long narration tendered in evidence over 20 shell casings of bullets fired on the day of the by-election, claiming they were fired by the National Security operatives deployed on the day.

Six people were shot at the Bawaleshie polling centre of the constituency, compelling the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to withdraw from the exercise citing safety concerns.

Voters were electing a new Member of Parliament (MP) for the area in the by-election necessitated by the demise of the incumbent Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko last year, representing the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Today is the fifth day since the Emile Short led commission began its public hearing and it has requested members of the public wishing to submit information, statements, or other relevant materials to do so through their secretariat.

It has former Dean of the Faculty of Law of GIMPA and private legal practitioner, Mr. Ernest Kofi Abotsi as its Secretary.

Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Patrick K. Acheampong are also members of the Commission.

The commission has been given one month to complete its work