Ghana’s President Warns of Electoral Violence Ahead of 2024 Polls

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Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo has issued a stern warning to anyone who plans to cause trouble during the 2024 general elections, saying the law will deal with them accordingly.

In a statement released on Thursday, the presidency dismissed as “unfounded speculation” a social media publication that claimed the president intended to reshuffle the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces ahead of the polls.

According to a report by Ghana Web, the publication alleged that the president wanted to use the military to “brutalize citizens” and rig the elections in favor of the ruling party.

During a meeting between the president and the heads of the security agencies on Tuesday, the presidency stated that there were no discussions about future changes in the military hierarchy based on political considerations. Any such changes would be based on the constitution.

The statement also assured the public that the 2024 elections would be conducted in a “free, fair and transparent manner devoid of electoral violence”.

Ghana’s Democratic Credentials

Ghana has held seven consecutive multiparty elections since 1992 and is widely regarded as one of the most stable and peaceful democracies in Africa.

The West African nation has also witnessed three peaceful transfers of power between the two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

However, some incidents of violence during the 2020 elections resulted in the deaths of at least six people and injuries to dozens more

The NDC rejected the results, which gave Akufo-Addo a second term with 51.6% of the votes, and filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the polls.

The court dismissed the petition in March 2021, affirming Akufo-Addo’s victory and urging the parties to resolve their differences through dialogue.

The NDC, however, maintained that the elections were flawed and vowed to continue its “legitimate fight” for electoral justice.

The Role of The Military

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is an important institution of state that has over the years built an enviable reputation for its professionalism and neutrality in the conduct of its duties, both at national and international levels.

The GAF has also played a key role in supporting the electoral process and maintaining law and order during elections, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The GAF has also contributed to peacekeeping operations in various conflict zones around the world, such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Mali, and Sudan.

The Akufo-Addo-led administration said that it would continue to guard the reputation of the GAF by ensuring that its operations are free from partisanship.

The statement also urged the public to disregard any speculations and publications aimed at triggering agitations within the rank and file of the GAF.

As Ghana prepares for the 2024 elections, many stakeholders have called for peace and dialogue among the political actors and the citizens.

The National Peace Council, a statutory body mandated to facilitate and promote peace in the country, has urged the parties to commit to a peaceful electoral process and respect the rule of law.

The council has also appealed to the media, civil society, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and the youth to play constructive roles in promoting a culture of peace and tolerance.

The international community, including the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the United Nations, and the European Union, has also expressed its support for Ghana’s democracy and stability.

The 2024 elections will test Ghana’s democratic maturity and resilience, and provide an opportunity for the country to consolidate its position as a model of good governance and development in Africa.