The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called for investigations into unresolved cases of electoral violence recorded during Ghana’s 2020 and 2024 general elections.
The organisation says Ghana cannot achieve lasting peace without justice for victims and accountability for those responsible for electoral-related violence.
Speaking to the media at an inter-party dialogue organised by the National Peace Council in Accra, Programmes Manager for Security Sector Governance and Local and Urban Governance at CDD-Ghana, Paul Kwabena Aborampah, said families affected by electoral violence continue to live with the pain and trauma of losing their loved ones.
He said memories of the incidents are often revived during subsequent election periods, creating the risk of retaliation.
“You can’t have peace without justice and people who’s relatives have been affected are still in the system. They probably know people who committed the crime so anytime there are elections, it seems to ginger them to retaliate,” he said.
Mr Aborampah cited Ghana’s post-military regime national reconciliation process as an example of how allowing victims to tell their stories can contribute to healing, even where financial compensation is not provided.
“As Ghana had national reconciliation post-military regime era, people were not compensated but having opportunity to tell their story, they were satisfied. So we believe conducting these investigations and bringing the perpetrators to book, even if we don’t extract any compensation for the family, they will be okay telling their stories,” he said.
He said investigating the unresolved cases and holding perpetrators accountable would help address grievances and strengthen public confidence in Ghana’s democratic processes.
Mr Aborampah also expressed concern over what he described as unending political friction, warning that tensions are increasingly extending beyond election periods.
According to him, persistent political attacks and personal criticisms risk diverting attention from national development and efforts to improve citizens’ livelihoods.
“We are witnessing unending political frictions which of course is dangerous for us. It stalls governance, redirects attention and focus. While citizens are talking about development trajectory and peace, suggesting alternatives for the improvement of livelihoods, we will be concentrating on personal assassination, attacks and criticisms,” he added.
