Ghana, lengthy celebrated as a beacon of democratic progress in West Africa, is now grappling with a sobering actuality: electoral violence is now not an remoted prevalence—it’s changing into a disturbing norm. As soon as held up as a mannequin for peaceable transitions of energy, the nation’s elections are more and more marred by chaos, intimidation, and bloodshed. From polling stations turning into battlegrounds to journalists being assaulted in broad daylight, the scenes unfolding throughout current electoral cycles paint a troubling image of a democracy below pressure.
This troubling trend threatens to erode decades of democratic gains and civic trust. The very institutions meant to uphold order and fairness during elections are now being tested, as political tensions spill over into physical confrontations and targeted attacks. For a nation that has prided itself on stability in a region often plagued by coups and authoritarianism, Ghana must now reckon with the possibility that its democracy is not as resilient as once believed. The implications are profound—not only for the country’s future governance but for the millions of citizens whose faith in the electoral process is quietly fading.
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From Polling Cubicles to Crime Scenes: An Escalating Pattern
Electoral violence in Ghana has turn out to be alarmingly constant. Current elections have seen spikes in intimidation, bodily assault, and blatant impunity.
2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon By-election
A seemingly routine by-election erupted into violence when masked nationwide safety operatives stormed the La-Bawaleshie polling station, firing dwell rounds and assaulting unarmed civilians. Practically 20 folks had been injured, prompting the opposition Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC) to withdraw from the competition.
A Fee of Inquiry led by Justice Emile Brief gathered testimony from over 20 key figures, together with MP Sam George and the NDC’s Delali Kwasi Brempong. Though the Fee really helpful compensation and safety sector reforms, the federal government rejected lots of its findings in a White Paper, fuelling public scepticism.
Practically 20 folks had been injured
2020 Normal Elections
Official stories confirmed 5 deaths and 19 accidents following disputes and violence at polling stations and through post-election protests.
A very controversial incident concerned then-Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson, who admitted on dwell tv that she had discharged a firearm at a voter registration centre in Kasoa. Whereas she claimed she acted in self-defence, eyewitnesses accused her aides of firing a number of photographs and intimidating registrants. Regardless of the outcry, no fees had been filed.
2024 Normal Elections:
A peace pact signed forward of the vote did little to stop bloodshed. No less than six fatalities had been recorded, primarily from clashes between the 2 main events, the NPP and the NDC.
The Ablekuma North Rerun : A Snapshot of Systemic Failure
The parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North on 11 July 2025, held throughout 19 polling stations, descended into dysfunction:
Thugs attacked the NPP parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, former minister Hawa Koomson, get together brokers, and journalists. The police allegedly did little to intervene.
Three journalists had been assaulted. One was slapped by a police officer, one other was pepper-sprayed and rendered unconscious.
Hawa Koomson was visited by former Vice Prez. Bawumia after she was assaulted
The Electoral Fee (EC) confirmed that, regardless of video proof of violence through the 2024 polls, no arrests had been made.
The rerun resulted in a razor-thin margin, Ewurabena Aubynn (NDC) won with 34,090 votes to Owusu Afriyie’s 33,881, a distinction of simply 209 votes, marking the primary NDC win within the constituency for the reason that Fourth Republic started.
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Three journalists had been assaulted. One was slapped by a police officer, one other was pepper-sprayed and rendered unconscious.
What’s Driving the Surge in Electoral Violence?
Ghana’s deepening electoral violence is underpinned by a rising tradition of impunity. These accountable for acts of violence throughout elections usually face no penalties, sending a harmful sign that such behaviour is tolerated. This lack of accountability not solely emboldens perpetrators but in addition weakens the rule of legislation. Compounding this concern is the persistence of political vigilantism. Regardless of the passage of the Vigilantism and Associated Offences Act in 2019, many of those teams proceed to perform, usually below rebranded identities, serving as unofficial enforcers for political events with little to no concern of punishment.
The complicity or inaction of safety forces additional aggravates the state of affairs. In a number of cases, together with the Ablekuma North rerun, safety personnel reportedly stood by whereas assaults had been carried out, and in some circumstances, had been instantly concerned. Such behaviour undermines public confidence in legislation enforcement. Moreover, the intensely aggressive nature of Ghana’s elections, the place outcomes are generally determined by razor-thin margins, fuels a notion that successful in any respect prices is justified. This escalating stress, mixed with repeated incidents of unaddressed violence, has led to a harmful erosion of public belief within the electoral system, pushing some residents into disengagement whereas others really feel compelled to take justice into their very own palms.
How Can Ghana Break the Cycle?
To curb the rising development of electoral violence, Ghana should decide to implementing the legislation with out favour. Each case of violence, no matter political affiliation, should be investigated and prosecuted. Safety officers who abuse their energy or fail to behave should face disciplinary and authorized motion. Equally vital is the pressing must dismantle political vigilante teams. The Vigilantism Act must be strictly applied, with safety companies figuring out and shutting down all unregulated teams that pose a menace to peaceable elections.
Learn Additionally: ‘Shut up’ – Sam George fires back at Bawumia over Ablekuma North chaos remarks
Defending journalists can also be important to safeguarding the democratic course of
Defending journalists can also be important to safeguarding the democratic course of. Media personnel should be assured security at polling stations, and any assaults, particularly these involving legislation enforcement, should be prosecuted directly. Moreover, electoral reforms ought to embody decentralising key points of the Electoral Fee’s operations to boost native accountability and responsiveness. Lastly, civic training and peacebuilding efforts should transcend slogans. Civil society, spiritual leaders, and conventional authorities should be actively engaged in fostering dialogue and selling non-violent participation all through the electoral cycle.
Is This Ghana’s New Actuality?
Electoral violence isn’t inevitable, however it’s persistent. The occasions in Ablekuma North function a stark warning, except systemic reforms are enacted and enforced, these incidents will escalate, threatening Ghana’s democratic integrity.
Ghana has overcome challenges up to now. The resilience of its folks, establishments, and civic actions stays robust. But when violence is allowed to turn out to be an accepted function of aggressive politics, the very basis of democratic governance will likely be in danger.
Learn Additionally: Read President Mahama’s letter to IGP on probing 2020 & 2024 election killings
Conclusion
Ghana’s democratic promise stays alive, however provided that residents, establishments, and leaders act decisively. Violence should not be normalised. Each incident of intimidation, assault, or impunity chips away on the legitimacy of elections and the religion residents place of their leaders.
It’s time to demand extra, justice for victims, accountability for perpetrators, and a renewed commitment to peaceful, free, and fair elections. Solely then can Ghana actually stay a pillar of democracy on the continent.
