The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) have condemned the violent scenes that marred the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency, describing them as a dangerous recurrence of impunity threatening Ghana’s democracy.
In a press release dated July 14, 2024, the two civil society groups expressed alarm over disturbing reports and video footage showing attacks on journalists, voters, and a former Member of Parliament during the exercise held in 19 polling stations.
“These incidents reflect a dangerous pattern of electoral violence and impunity that continues to threaten the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process,” the statement said. “Elections must be peaceful expressions of the people’s will, not battlegrounds for political intimidation and fear.”
IDEG and CFI recalled similar instances of election-related violence in recent years, citing the 2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election and violent incidents in Tolon and Ahafo Ano South West during the 2020 and 2024 general elections.
The groups argue that failure to hold perpetrators accountable has emboldened political actors and encouraged a culture of reprisal.
Calling for urgent action, the organisations urged the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the latest attacks. “These actions will deter the behaviour and the culture of impunity surrounding elections,” the statement emphasised.
With the Akwatia by-election on the horizon, IDEG and CFI called on the National Elections Security Task Force to adopt a more proactive and preventive strategy to avoid a repeat of the Ablekuma North chaos.
They also appealed to civil society to engage the major political parties in breaking what they described as a “vicious cycle of electoral violence.”
In conclusion, the statement called for broader constitutional and institutional reforms to restore public trust in Ghana’s electoral system and law enforcement bodies. IDEG and CFI reiterated their commitment to building a peaceful, inclusive, and accountable democratic culture.
The statement was signed by Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, Chairperson of the Civic Forum Initiative, and Mr. Kwesi Jonah, Head of Advocacy and Institutional Relations at IDEG.
