Mahama: "We All Know What Happens When Commissions of Inquiries Are Set Up"

We all know what happens when Commissions of Inquiries are set up..." says former President John Mahama who feels the Justice Emile Short Commission will end nowhere.

According to him, those involved in the violence, can all be identified and arrested; hence there is no need to set up a Commission.

The former President while speaking to members of the diplomatic corps Wednesday said: “these are all issues that have come up. We believe that this is a straight criminal case and the people involved, many of them have been identified and the Police should have invited them, taken their statements and started their investigation. Instead, they have decided to set up a Commission of Inquiry.”

"The main usefulness of a Commission of Inquiry is to bring out the facts and put in place measures to ensure that such a thing does not happen again, but it is not the most convenient way for sanctioning criminal conduct,” he added.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Minority Caucus in Parliament have taken a stand not to cooperate with the Justice Emile Short Commission.

The NDC in a statement said: "the position of the NDC is very simple. This Emile Short Commission is a non-starter on the basis of its composition, obvious political colouring, and the President’s own track record."

According to the minority, it will pursue its own avenues in search of justice for those who got injured as a result of the violence that occurred during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election

Meanwhile, the Commission is starting public hearing today. at the Christiansborg castle at Osu in Accra.

They have earlier called on the public to submit information, statements, or other relevant materials that can help in their investigations.