Ghana’s electoral process, despite significant progress, continues to be marred by recurring episodes of violence, raising concerns about the future of democracy in the country. The recent rerun election in the Ablekuma North constituency serves as a stark example of this persistent problem. The election, which saw the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate declared the winner, was punctuated by disturbing incidents of violence, including physical assaults on journalists and voters, reportedly perpetrated by party thugs. These clashes, particularly concentrated at the St. Peter’s Polling Station, disrupted voting for several hours until police reinforcements could restore order. The recurrence of such incidents, despite previous condemnations and pledges for reform, underscores a deeply troubling pattern and raises questions about the effectiveness of existing measures to prevent electoral violence.
The violence in Ablekuma North has drawn criticism from various quarters, including former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Dickson Adomako-Kissi. Expressing his embarrassment and concern, Dr. Adomako-Kissi pointed to the failure of law enforcement to adequately address the palpable tensions between the contesting parties in the lead-up to the election. He highlighted the prior incident of a school being set ablaze, which should have served as a clear warning of the potential for violence. Dr. Adomako-Kissi’s critique extends beyond the immediate events, highlighting the systemic failure to implement effective checks and balances within the electoral process, despite the acknowledged strides Ghana has made in improving its election management.
The criticism of the Ghana Police Service centers on their apparent inability to anticipate and prevent the violence, despite clear indications of escalating tensions between the political factions. This perceived failure raises questions about the adequacy of pre-election security assessments, the deployment of security personnel, and the effectiveness of their response to the unfolding violence. The fact that the tensions were widely recognized within the Ablekuma North community further emphasizes the apparent lapse in proactive security measures. This raises concerns about whether law enforcement agencies have sufficient resources, training, and operational strategies to effectively manage electoral violence. Furthermore, it highlights the need for improved intelligence gathering and community engagement to identify and address potential flashpoints before they escalate into violence.
Adding to the chorus of concern, legal scholar and social commentator Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, also known as Kwaku Azar, has characterized the cyclical nature of electoral violence followed by political condemnation without concrete action as a normalization of this destructive behavior. Professor Asare argues that the lack of accountability, in terms of prosecutions and systemic reforms, effectively grants permission for the cycle to continue. This “condemnation and moving on” approach, he contends, does not represent genuine peacebuilding but rather a tacit acceptance of violence as an inevitable element of the electoral landscape. This viewpoint emphasizes the need for a more proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of electoral violence.
Professor Asare’s critique underscores the critical need for a paradigm shift in how Ghana addresses electoral violence. Moving beyond mere condemnation requires robust investigations, prosecutions of perpetrators, and institutional reforms to prevent future occurrences. This includes strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies, promoting inter-party dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms, and fostering a culture of peaceful political participation. Crucially, this also requires a commitment from political parties themselves to refrain from inciting violence and to hold their supporters accountable for their actions.
In conclusion, the recurring violence that plagues Ghana’s elections demands a comprehensive and sustained response. This involves strengthening law enforcement capacity, implementing effective preventative measures, and holding perpetrators accountable through prosecution. Furthermore, addressing the root causes of this violence requires fostering a culture of peaceful political engagement, promoting inter-party dialogue, and ensuring that the electoral process is transparent, fair, and free from coercion. Until these issues are addressed, the threat of electoral violence will continue to undermine Ghana’s democratic progress and cast a shadow over the country’s future. The recent incidents in Ablekuma North serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for action to safeguard the integrity and peacefulness of Ghana’s electoral process.
