Transition teams must prioritize tackling post-election violence – CDD-Ghana

The Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called for future transition teams to prioritize addressing and containing post-election violence as a critical element of the handover process.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the organization highlighted the recurring issue of post-election disorder and violence, often perpetrated by partisans of victorious parties, as a threat to Ghana’s democratic stability.

“CDD-Ghana is aware that a similar pattern of post-election disorder has characterized previous turnover elections during this Fourth Republic,” the statement read.

“This regrettable fact cannot excuse or justify the latest spate of violence. Left unchecked, it risks becoming an entrenched and ugly feature of our political culture.”

The organization urged the newly sworn-in government of President John Dramani Mahama to honor its pledge to reset governance and politics in Ghana by sending a strong message against such behaviors.

“Government must empower law enforcement authorities to act decisively and lawfully, without regard to party affiliations,” the statement added.

CDD-Ghana also proposed that post-election violence attract enhanced criminal penalties, similar to those under the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act (2019), which successfully reduced political vigilantism.

The Center emphasized that prioritizing these measures would mitigate Ghana’s “winner-takes-all” political culture and promote peace and stability.

As instances of hooliganism, vandalism, and assaults on state officials and properties rise, CDD-Ghana has reiterated the urgency for both the government and law enforcement agencies to act firmly and decisively to uphold the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.