A criminologist and senior lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Jones Opoku Ware, has warned that Ghana’s recurring electoral violence is unlikely to end soon unless bold reforms are implemented.
His caution follows renewed violence during the Ablekuma North rerun election and growing tensions ahead of the Akwatia by-election.
He also referenced past incidents, including disturbances during the Council of State elections, various constituency primaries, and general elections that have led to injuries, hospitalizations, and even loss of life.
“There is no hope to suggest that electoral violence in Ghana is going away anytime soon. What we are seeing is a consistent pattern of aggression, intimidation, and impunity—and it’s becoming normalized,” Dr. Opoku Ware told AdomeNews.
He attributed the persistent violence to the politicization of Ghana’s security institutions and weak enforcement of the law.
“Our laws must be enforced without fear or favour. The police and other security agencies must be allowed to work independently. So long as political actors interfere in their work, election-related violence will persist,” he stressed.
Weighing in on recent debates regarding the deployment of security forces during elections, Dr. Opoku Ware cautioned against calls to disarm police officers, even if the military is kept away from polling centres.
“Yes, the military should not be stationed at polling centres—that’s understood. But that doesn’t mean police officers should be disarmed. A disarmed police force in a volatile electoral area is a dangerous weakness,” he explained.
He urged the Electoral Commission, political parties, and civil society to prioritise peacebuilding, civic education, and accountability ahead of future elections, warning that Ghana’s democracy is at risk if the violence is allowed to continue unchecked.
“Elections should not be a war. Until we address the root causes and stop shielding perpetrators of violence, the cycle will continue,” he concluded.
Ghana has experienced several incidents of electoral violence in recent years, with the 2020 general elections particularly notable. Clashes in areas like Techiman South led to multiple fatalities, deepening concerns over the country’s democratic stability.
Source: Jagri Boaz Binyinjom
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