A victim of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence, James Moore, has given an account of how he experienced physical abuse from the SWAT team without any provocation.

A few hours into the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election at the La Bawalashie Presby polling station in January, some gunmen who were later identified as members of the National Security SWAT team allegedly started shooting at the scores of people who had gathered at the residence of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Kwasi Delali Berempong’s house.

In the midst of the confusion, residents are reported to have started running for their lives. Some who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the hospital.

According to James Moore, he was standing at a secluded area “minding” his business when the chaos broke out.

However, he stated that about five members of the SWAT team approached him demanding why he stood there. He disclosed that the query came after they had chased away by-standers from the part when the violence erupted.

“After they chased the guys, they came to me standing at the place and asked me what I’m I doing here. Before I could say anything there were five people on me – beating, slapping and hitting me.” He told the Emile Short Commission.



When asked by the Lawyer why he did not run when the chaos started, he answered saying that he saw no reason to run because he did not know what caused the chaos.

He added, “I didn’t know where to run to.”