Ghanaian Refugee in Canada Recounts Polling Station Horror: Political Interference Alleged in Unresolved Murder.

 

In the quiet town of Agona, Ashanti Region, the echoes of electoral violence have left an indelible scar on Kusi Baah, a 34-year-old former teacher now living in exile in Canada. His life unraveled on December 7, 2020, when he witnessed the brutal murder of his childhood friend, Michael Acheampong, at a polling station during Ghana’s contentious general elections. Today, Baah claims political interference by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) shielded the perpetrators, forcing him to flee for his life while justice remains elusive. 
The 2020 Ghanaian elections, hailed as a test of democratic resilience, turned tragic in Agona. Michael Acheampong, 32, a local activist and volunteer for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), was monitoring votes at Agona Methodist Primary School. Witnesses describe a group of 15 masked men, allegedly chanting NPP slogans, storming the station. “They shouted, ‘This is NPP territory!’ before attacking anyone wearing NDC colors,” Baah recalled, his voice trembling. 

Acheampong, identifiable by his NDC-branded shirt, was dragged outside. Baah, hiding behind a ballot box, watched in horror as his friend was beaten with clubs and machetes. “Michael kept screaming for help, but the police just watched,” he said. The assailants, upon realizing Baah had witnessed the killing, turned on him. He escaped through a back alley, later learning his name was on a hit list.
Baah spent weeks in hiding, moving between safe houses in Kumasi and Accra. With help from a local human rights NGO, he secured a Canadian visa under precarious circumstances. “I boarded the plane with nothing but a backpack and trauma,” he shared. Now in Toronto, Baah works menial jobs while battling PTSD. His asylum application, pending since 2021, hinges on proving his life remains in danger. 

“Canada is my sanctuary, but I’m haunted by guilt. Michael’s family deserves justice,” Baah said. His lawyer, Amirah Khan, notes, “Mr. Baah’s case reflects systemic failures. Political crimes often go unpunished, leaving survivors to seek refuge abroad.
Ghana Police Service’s initial probe identified six suspects, including local NPP youth leader Kwame Asare. However, the case stalled abruptly. A police insider, speaking anonymously, revealed, “We were ordered to stand down. Higher-ups cited ‘sensitive political implications.’” 
The NDC and groups like Amnesty International Ghana accuse the NPP of obstruction. “This is a pattern. State machinery protects party loyalists,” said NDC spokesperson Ama Serwah. The NPP denies involvement. In a press statement, Communications Director Yaw Buaben said, “The NPP upholds rule of law. Any violence is condemnable and should be investigated impartially.” 

Yet, Agona’s residents remain skeptical. “Everyone knows the killers. They walk freely, even campaign for NPP,” muttered a market trader, fearing reprisals.
Ghana, often praised for peaceful elections, has darker undercurrents. The Ashanti Region, an NPP stronghold, sees frequent clashes. The 2020 elections recorded over 60 violent incidents, per CODEO (Coalition of Domestic Election Observers). Prof. Emmanuel Debrah, political analyst at University of Ghana, notes, “Violence is strategic. Incumbents intimidate opposition to sway results.” 

Acheampong’s murder mirrors unsolved cases like the 2019 killing of NDC member Ibrahim Mohammed in Tamale. Families are left in limbo, while perpetrators exploit political cover.
In Toronto, Baah attends therapy but finds solace in advocacy. He collaborates with Ghanaian diaspora groups to lobby Canadian MPs, urging pressure on Accra. “I want the world to know Ghana’s democracy is stained with blood,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Acheampong’s widow, Adwoa, struggles to feed their three children. “No one answers my calls. The police say the case is ‘under review,’” she wept. 

Human Rights Watch has condemned Ghana’s inaction, urging international scrutiny. “Without accountability, cycles of violence persist,” researcher Tiwaa Mensah warned. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees highlights Baah’s case in discussions on political asylum. 

In Ghana, activists plan protests, demanding reopening the investigation. “We won’t let Michael’s death be forgotten,” said protest leader Kwesi Nyame.
As Ghana approaches 2024 elections, Baah’s ordeal underscores urgent reforms. Electoral violence, politicized law enforcement, and exile narratives challenge Ghana’s democratic facade. For Baah, Canada offers safety but not closure. “I dream of returning home,” he said. “But first, Ghana must confront its demons.