The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reassigned Bryan Acheampong to Minister of State at the Ministry of Interior.
A statement from the presidency Thursday said the Abetifi legislator’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Prior to his reshuffle, Mr Acheampong was Minister of State at the Ministry of National Security.
Also reassigned is Henry Quartey, who until today was the Deputy Minister for Interior.
The Ayawaso Central legislator with immediate effect is now Deputy Minister at the Ministry of National Security.
There have been calls for the head of Mr Acheampong since the violence that characterised the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election last year.
A commission was established on February 8, 2019, by the President to make a full inquiry into the circumstances of and establish the facts leading to the events of the associated violence during January 31 by-election.
At least 16 persons were injured after mask-wearing men laid siege at the residence of the NDC parliamentary candidate believing it housed a stockpile of arms.
Even before the Emile Short Commission started its work, Minority Spokesperson on Defence and Interior, James Agalga had called Mr Acheampong, to step aside.
He said the justification for the deployment of the masked security personnel by the Minister is a clear indication that bringing the perpetrators of the violence to book would prove daunting.
“I don’t begrudge the police because the task they have been assigned is Herculean one. How can the police investigate their own boss? Bryan Acheampong is their boss…while Bryan Acheampong remains in office, how is it possible for the police to subject him to proper interrogation?” he quizzed.
After talking to time to listen to the officers deployed on the day and their superiors, victims and other people close to what happened on the day, the Commission came out with its report and recommendations.
The Justice Emile Short Commission recommended the evaluation and reorganisation of the National Security Ministry.
It stressed the need for clarity on the responsibilities, roles as well as reporting lines for persons appointed to serve in the Ministry.
Bryan Acheampong (L) and Kan-Dapaah
“The Commission recommends that the President (Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo) should review and restructure the Ministry of National Security with a view to ensuring clarity of responsibilities and roles as well as lines of reporting,” it said.
The Commission which was unimpressed by the manner in which the said National Security Operatives conducted themselves suspects a clash of roles between the National Security Minister, Abert Kan-Dapaah and Minister of State in Charge of National Security at the Presidency, Bryan Acheampong.
It advocates in its report for the role of the Minister of State in Charge of National Security at the Presidency to be clearly delineated with responsibilities indexed to that of the substantive sector Minister.
“This should establish a clear chain of command and the circumstances under which he or she can act in the absence of the substantive Minister,” it said.
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