EDITORIAL: Condemning Violence in Ablekuma North Parliamentary Rerun

The recent Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun was marred by violence, thuggery, and attacks on journalists, leaving a stain on Ghana’s democratic reputation. We strongly condemn these acts and call for immediate action to address the underlying issues that led to this chaos.

The violence was characterized by brutal attacks on political figures, party agents, and journalists. Former Member of Parliament Hawa Koomson and the Deputy National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah, were among those assaulted. Journalists from reputable media houses, including JoyNews and GHOne TV, were also targeted, with one reporter being slapped by a police officer.

Several factors contributed to the violence, including the presence of thugs and party loyalists who seemed to have been brought in to intimidate voters and disrupt the electoral process. The lack of adequate security measures and ineffective policing allowed these thugs to run amok, creating an atmosphere of fear and chaos.

The celebration and justification of violence by senior government officials, including Dr. Hanna Louisa Bissiw and Malik Basintale, are particularly disturbing. Their inflammatory rhetoric emboldened further lawlessness and signaled to potential perpetrators that violence would be excused or even celebrated.

We urge the Ghana Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation into the violence and identify those responsible. The government must take decisive action to address the culture of violence and intimidation that is increasingly characterizing Ghana’s electoral politics.

The attacks on journalists are a serious concern, and we call on the Ghana Journalists Association to work with the police to ensure that journalists can perform their duties without fear of intimidation or violence.

In conclusion, the violence that engulfed the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun is a wake-up call for all stakeholders to take concrete steps to promote peaceful elections and protect the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process. We must work together to create an environment that allows Ghanaians to exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation.

Key Demands:

• Immediate investigation into the violence and prosecution of those responsible
• Decisive action to address the culture of violence and intimidation in Ghana’s electoral politics
• Protection of journalists and media freedom
• Promotion of peaceful elections and protection of the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process

Let’s work together to build a more peaceful and democratic Ghana.