The Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, has warned of a looming threat of electoral violence as the country prepares for the 2024 general elections.
In his address at the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference held under the theme ‘SPI National forum on social cohesion, security and peaceful elections’ in Accra, Mr Dapaah emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability during the electoral process, highlighting past instances where such violence has nearly torn the nation apart.
“Internally and coming home to Ghana, we continue to be confronted with the threat of electoral violence which has in the past threatened to destroy our country,” he stated.
He emphasised the importance of not underestimating this threat, warning that it could compromise the integrity of our democracy, even though Ghana has traditionally been proud of its peaceful transfers of power between the two main political parties.
Kan Dapaah credited the country’s commitment to democratic principles and the role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes.
“Yes, we have succeeded as a country in ensuring a transition of power from one political party to another on modernisation,” he said.
Ahead of the 2024 General Elections, the minister expressed concern over the heightened stakes and the fervent aspirations of the two major political parties.
According to him, such ambitious comments from the two major political parties have the potential to incite violence on Election Day if one party loses. This, he added, is a test of our democracy to uphold the peace Ghana enjoys.
“The 2024 general elections will certainly test the strength of our democracy. Given the high stakes involved, where the two major political parties appear convinced about their prospects of emerging victorious. That obviously creates a security challenge for me where I sit.”
In an interview with Citi News, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishop’s Conference, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, also stressed the need for political parties to accept the outcome of the election and not take advantage of the peace Ghana enjoys by inciting people for destruction.
“Definitely during the election, someone will lose, someone will win. So, for you to lose the election and use the pain to incite people to cause havoc to destroy the peace, usually, it is the political leaders who have lost that lead to such destruction. So our advice is to the political leaders that if you lose, please accept it peacefully,” he added.
He further urged Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be used by ‘hungry for power politicians’ to cause mayhem before, during and after the December polls
“Ghanaians must also be aware of their responsibilities. They must not allow themselves to be used by politicians who lose elections. Peace is very expensive and sometimes we have to make sacrifices one time or the other to maintain it. So may nobody participate in violence. So those who lose, accept it peacefully,” he noted.