President John Dramani Mahama has once again intensified his push for accountability regarding the violence that marred the 2024 general elections, issuing a direct directive to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to expedite investigations and ensure swift justice for all perpetrators.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the National Peace Council’s Post-2024 Elections Evaluation Dialogue in Koforidua, President Mahama underscored the critical need to restore public faith in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
“The IGP, expedite investigations into these acts of electoral violence and bring the perpetrators to justice,” President Mahama firmly stated.
He further assured the public that the Attorney General’s office is “also working on a report to be presented to Cabinet for adequate compensation to be paid to victims and relatives of those affected by the violence,” signalling the government’s commitment to both punitive action and victim redress.
The dialogue session, a crucial gathering of political actors, civil society organisations, and peace-building stakeholders, was convened to meticulously review the conduct of the 2024 elections and forge robust mechanisms to avert future disturbances.
While the 2024 elections were largely peaceful, sporadic incidents of violence, particularly in hotspots like Techiman South, Odododiodio, and other constituencies, resulted in tragic fatalities and numerous injuries.
These unfortunate events, though fewer than in previous cycles, cast a shadow over an otherwise commendable electoral exercise and ignited renewed public calls for accountability.
President Mahama lauded the positive impact of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), which was specifically enacted to combat politically affiliated violence.
He affirmed that “the disbandment of party vigilante groups through the passage of the Vigilantism and Related Offenses Act, 2019 (Act 999) was a step in the right direction that has helped to reduce politically motivated violence to some extent.”
This legislation has been crucial in reducing the once-prevalent threats posed by party-affiliated militia groups, which had historically contributed to electoral insecurity.
This latest demand for swift action is not new from President Mahama, who has consistently called for perpetrators of electoral violence to face the full force of the law.
His renewed emphasis comes amid persistent public clamour for transparency and accountability for incidents that occurred during the last election, some of which reportedly involved clashes at polling and collation centres.
The impact of electoral violence extends far beyond the immediate physical harm; it erodes public trust in democratic processes, deters voter participation, and can destabilise national cohesion.
Cases of individuals losing their lives or sustaining life-altering injuries due to political thuggery have a chilling effect, undermining the very essence of free and fair elections.
President Mahama’s administration has pledged that it “will not condone impunity” and will diligently work to provide redress for victims as part of ongoing electoral and security sector reforms aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s peace and stability.
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