Prosecute individuals culpable in electoral violence - Minister directs police
Interior Minister, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has directed the Ghana Police Service to prosecute individuals who engaged in violence in the 2020 and 2024 elections.
He stated that the government did not condone violence in any form; therefore, the Ghana Police Service (GPS) needed to work diligently to address electoral violence in the country.
He was addressing the 17th Regional Commanders Conference at the National Police Headquarters in Accra last Friday.
The 17th Regional Commanders Conference was meant to review operational strategies and service performance, assessing the progress of the service and collectively addressing challenges in fulfilling the police’s constitutional mandate.
“I take this opportunity to remind you of the electoral violence in 2020 and 2024. I have seen the report, and our expectation is nothing short of swift prosecution,” Alhaji Mohammed-Muburak said.
Akwatia by-election
The Minister for the Interior reminded the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, of the upcoming Akwatia by-election and urged the police to put proactive measures in place to detect any violence that might rear its ugly head.
"Ghana has enjoyed relatively peaceful elections since 1992. However, the recent violence in the Ablekuma North elections exposes certain weaknesses that we must address. You and your team must review all the evidence at your disposal and address those involved. Don’t spare anyone," he said.
“As we are preparing for the upcoming by-election in Akwatia, I charge this conference to take a hard look at our electoral preparedness,” he stated.
Alhaji Mohammed-Muburak urged the police to “ensure that our personnel are not only deployed in sufficient numbers but are adequately briefed and equipped with the needed resources to prevent and contain election-related violence.”
He urged the police to engage with the Electoral Commission, community leaders, and civil society actors to develop “context-sensitive strategies that will enhance confidence in the electoral process.”
“Let us seize this opportunity to redeem the lapses of the past and strengthen the legacy of Ghanaian democracy,” he said.
Context
When he took his turn at the “Government Accountability Series”, Mr Mohammed-Muburak revealed that the IGP had formally submitted comprehensive reports on the violent incidents that marred Ghana’s general elections in 2020 and 2024.
He said the report marked a major step forward in the government’s efforts to address electoral violence and restore confidence in the country’s democratic process.
Police ready
In his welcome address, Mr Yohunu reinforced the police service's willingness to fight all forms of crime.
On the Ablekuma North electoral violence, he said the Service had taken swift action against the erring officer, who was currently facing internal disciplinary action.
On the Akwatia by-election, the IGP stated that the Police Administration had already put plans in place to ensure that the Akwatia by-election is peaceful.
Promotions
Mr Yohuno said the Police Administration had started processes to address concerns of delayed promotions to ensure that every officer’s hard work and sacrifice were duly recognised, as well as lifting all arbitrary interdictions.
