Trump's assassination attempt; Implications for Ghana

Donald Trump, presidential candidate of the US Republican party, survived an assassination attempt on Saturday, July 13, 2024. The shooter, whose motive at the time of writing is still unknown, aimed several shots at Trump. One pierced his ear.

Several others felled members of the audience at Trump’s rally. One person was killed.

The USA is a country where political assassinations are not uncommon. However, this was the first assassination attempt in recent years involving such a high-profile political figure. Does the assassination attempt have implications for Ghana? If so, what are they?

The political situation in the USA

What we know is that the USA, like Ghana, is a country of political polarisation. In addition, Ghana, like the USA, is a country awash with guns, many held for citizens’ personal protection. Fortunately, Ghana does not have such a divisive, high-profile political figure as Donald Trump.

We say, fortunately, because Trump is by far the most contentious political figure in the USA, and some believe that it was only a matter of time before someone tried to slay him. Opinions about Trump are routinely expressed in extreme terms. On one hand, many of his supporters regard him as a saviour, sent from God, to save the country from liberals and progressives. On the other hand, many of his political opponents regard him as a fascist, a totalitarian figure, who would turn the USA into his personal dictatorship if re-elected as president. 

What is the nature of Trump’s political appeal? The source of his socio-political power is not that his supporters necessarily respect his individual thoughts and opinions or are devoted to a discernible ideology. Instead, ‘Trumpism’ is a way of life for many of his supporters in the USA, drawing on shared cultural and political values and experiences. Trumpism is not a political philosophy or even a full-blown cult of personality. Instead, it represents the appeal of insurgency, irreverence and a particular understanding of white masculinity and power.  

What does this mean for politics and political competition in Ghana during an election year? Like in the USA, political positions in Ghana are rarely identifiable by distinct ideological differences; all presidential and parliamentary candidates profess support for democracy, equality and a market economy. All support human rights, including religious freedom. However, where Ghana is becoming like the USA is how many voters’ cynicism that ‘politics as usual’ can lead to the improvements they want to see in their lives.

Similarities/dissimilarities in Ghana

There are notable similarities and differences between the United States and Ghana. Unlike Ghana, the United States has a history of presidential assassination attempts. Four US presidents, namely Abraham Lincoln (14/4/1865), James Garfield (2/7/1881), William McKinley (6/9/1901) and John F. Kennedy (22/11/1963), have been assassinated while several others have survived attempts on their lives. In Ghana, President Nkrumah, for instance, escaped assassination attempts five times, as reported by The New York Times on January 3, 1964. There have also been incidents involving security breaches, such as the case of a ‘madman’ with a gun at an event attended by former President Mahama.

Most of these assassination attempts are attributed to security lapses. For example, a report in The Washington Post on July 15 acknowledged failures in the Secret Service's handling of a shooting incident during a Trump rally.

Both countries are experiencing significant political polarisation, which is intensifying in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. In Ghana and the United States, former Presidents Mahama and Trump contested the results of the 2020 election, leading to a heated political climate in both countries. Similarly, in Ghana and the United States, former Presidents Mahama and Trump are staging a comeback after losing the 2020 elections to Presidents Nana Addo-Akufo and Joe Biden respectively, amidst growing tension between the political parties. It is worth pointing out that President Mahama also lost the 2016 election to Nana Addo-Akufo.

Both the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress in Ghana and the supporters of former President Trump in the USA have been involved in episodes of political violence, often citing a lack of adequate state security as the reason for arming themselves. Given the proliferation of small arms in Ghana, as reported by the Ghana National Commission for Small Arms and Light Weapons, there is a need to be concerned about associated security threats.

Given political instability in the West African sub-region and Ghana’s porous borders, the widespread presence of illicit arms poses a serious threat to security and stability. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the government to increase investment in border security and law enforcement, and for various security agencies to collaborate and close potential security loopholes.

Furthermore, the government must ensure fair and firm law enforcement to deter individuals from acquiring arms for self-defence. Addressing these issues is essential in maintaining peace and stability in both the USA and Ghana. 

Conclusion

Considering the aforementioned similarities and differences between the United States and Ghana, the recent assassination attempt on President Trump serves as a stark lesson for Ghanaians. It underscores the importance for the political parties, their supporters and the security forces to collectively strive towards ensuring a peaceful and violence-free election in 2024.

The writers are a Political Scientist and an Emeritus Professor of Politics, London Metropolitan University, UK