The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations against Political Vigilantism (CCSAPV) has given government a one week ultimatum to accept the entire findings and recommendations of the Justice Emile Short Commission's Report on the Ayawaso West Wuogon By-election violence.

They have also asked government to release a road map for implementation of the recommendations made by the Commission. The Group stated that government's refusal to accept the recommendations could embolden operatives as well as party groups to use more violence   and also cause civilians to  put their safety in their own hands during elections.

Implementing the road-map on the other hand, will instill confidence in the security agencies and the public during and after the 2020 elections.
This came to light   at a press conference organised by the group at the Ghana International Press Center in Accra.

Speaking to the media, Chairman for CCSAPV, Mr Mensah Thompson, said that the passage of the Vigilante and Related Offences Act has resulted in a partial collapse of Vigilante Groups in the country.

The group however alleges that some of the remaining Vigilante Groups or Party Militias have been absorbed by the various District Assemblies and therefore urged government to rid the various assemblies of these groups.

He said that for government to address the issue of electoral violence in the country, it must accept the findings and recommendations of the report .
He noted that while the work of the Commission was based on evidences submitted by people due to their proximity to the incident, government   has rejected some of the findings of the Commission based on the evidence of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and the   presiding officer of the Electoral Commission who were not close to the scene of the violence.

Mr Mensah said that this position by government undermines the possibility of any lessons that could be learnt from the incident.
According to him, rejecting the recommendations of the Commission to prosecute the operative who assaulted the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Honorable Samuel Nartey George, due to a provocation, creates the impressionthat government approves of the assault and other forms of violence at the Ayawaso West Wuogon.

"We are therefore calling on government to rescind its decision NOT to prosecute the operative" he emphasized.
They also asked that government to come out with clear compensation package and compensation procedure for the affected victims.