Residents of Nyankpala in Ghana's Northern Region are demanding a faster investigation into the 2024 election-day killing of Shaibu Haruna, also known as Alhaji. The Concerned NDC Youth in the Nyankpala Zone petitioned the Presidency, Ministry of the Interior, Ghana Police Service, and Attorney-General's Department, citing the nearly two-year delay in resolving the case. The violence on December 7, 2024, left several residents injured, and the group fears the prolonged investigation is putting the entire probe at risk.
The group, led by spokesperson Alhassan Alhassan, expressed concerns about the preservation of evidence and witnesses' ability to recall events accurately after a significant amount of time has passed. Haruna's family continues to await answers, and the group wants the case pursued with urgency, professionalism, and fairness. They emphasized that anyone found to have played a role should be dealt with according to the law, without interference in the police or court processes.
The petition references a Government Accountability Series briefing on August 24, 2026, where Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka discussed efforts to trace suspects linked to the case. However, the group claims the suspect description provided during the briefing does not match their information, and they have called for a review of the description against official records. A public clarification is requested if necessary.
The petition outlines seven specific requests, including expediting the investigation, providing investigators with adequate support and resources, and shielding witnesses from intimidation or retaliation. The group also requests that the affected family be kept updated while protecting sensitive details and that authorities respond to the petition in writing within 30 days. The document was addressed to the President, Ministry of the Interior, Ghana Police Service, and Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice.
The Ghana Police Service has stated that the investigation into the Nyankpala killing is ongoing, with engagements between investigators and stakeholders since the incident. However, no updated timeline for concluding the probe has been provided. The police have not commented further on the current status of the case, and it remains unclear when the investigation will be completed.
The stalled case contributes to broader concerns in Ghana about the slow pace of investigations into election-related violence. This can leave affected families without closure for years and raise doubts about accountability ahead of future elections. The Concerned NDC Youth in the Nyankpala Zone emphasize the need for a credible process that establishes the facts of what happened on election day nearly two years ago.
With the 30-day response window requested in the petition now running, attention turns to whether the named state institutions will issue a formal reply and whether police can provide the community with concrete progress on the case in the coming weeks. The outcome will be crucial in determining the next steps in the investigation and whether the community will receive the closure they seek.
Key points
- The Concerned NDC Youth in the Nyankpala Zone has petitioned the authorities over the slow police investigation into the 2024 election-day killing of Shaibu Haruna.
- The group is demanding a faster investigation, citing concerns about the preservation of evidence and witnesses' ability to recall events accurately.
- The petition outlines seven specific requests, including expediting the investigation and shielding witnesses from intimidation or retaliation.
