Cynthia Morrison, the Member of Parliament for Agona West, has vehemently denied any involvement of her supporters in a gunfire incident that occurred during a campaign rally in Agona West on Sunday, October 28. The incident left one person injured and sparked widespread panic among attendees.
According to eyewitnesses and reports, the gunfire erupted when supporters of Chris Arthur, a parliamentary aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), encountered a group of Morrison’s supporters conducting a mini-rally at Agona Nyankrom. The unexpected confrontation led to chaos, and gunshots were fired, injuring Haruna Rashid, Arthur’s campaign manager.
Rashid sustained a gunshot wound to his ribs and was immediately rushed to the Agona Swedru Government Hospital for medical attention. Other individuals with minor injuries were also taken to the hospital amid the ensuing chaos.
In an interview with Citi News’ Central Regional Correspondent, Calvis Tetteh, Morrison clarified that she was unaware of the gunfire when it happened. She explained that she didn’t hear the shots due to the sound system’s proximity to where she was standing. It was only after the incident that she learned about the gunfire.
Morrison recounted that the police promptly intervened, directing her to leave the scene through an alternate route for her safety. “At a point, the police told me that they put me in the car. So I just slipped through and then sat in and asked what was happening. They said it was a gunshot. I didn’t hear the gunshot actually because the sound system was closer to where I was standing,” she explained.
Morrison emphasized that her supporters were not responsible for the gunfire, citing that she had obtained permission from the police for the rally and had 27 officers present to ensure security. “How can it be from my camp? I was having a rally. I got permission from the police.
They gave us 27 policemen in their van and they directed me to exactly where I should be. Anywhere we turn, we see a policewoman, turn left, and they will ask us to turn left,” she said.
The Central Regional Police Command has since launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the gunfire.
Morrison expressed her hope that the authorities would resolve the matter quickly and ensure that it does not escalate further.
As tensions rise in Agona West, residents and supporters are urging all parties to engage in peaceful campaigning. The incident has sparked concerns about the need for calm and peaceful elections in Ghana.
The country’s electoral commission and security forces must ensure a secure environment for all candidates and their supporters. The Ghanaian people expect a free and fair election, and incidents like this undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Morrison’s denial of any involvement and her call for peace underscore the importance of maintaining calm and order during this critical period.
The investigation’s outcome will be crucial in determining the next steps and preventing similar incidents in the future.
As Ghana prepares for elections, the international community watches with keen interest. The country’s ability to conduct peaceful and credible elections will have far-reaching implications for its democracy and stability.
