Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has vowed to ensure a violence-free election climate across the country, promising swift and decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence, particularly those involved in the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun.
His remarks come in response to recent brutalities recorded at polling centres, including attacks on candidates, journalists, and party officials.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House on Monday, the Minister stated unequivocally that political affiliations will not shield anyone from prosecution.
“I have spoken to the IGP firmly on all the happenings of Ablekuma North, and the videos have been forwarded to him. We’ve instructed him to act swiftly and bring the perpetrators to book,” he stated.
“We are not going to condone wrongdoing, whether it involves people from within our party or from outside.”
Mr. Muntaka condemned the violence that marred the election rerun, describing it as “a scar on all of our consciences” in a country with over three decades of democratic experience.
He reaffirmed the Interior Ministry’s commitment to enforcing the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), stressing, “Political thuggery will not be tolerated.”
Addressing the assault on a journalist during the election, the Minister disclosed that the police officer involved has been identified and would be brought to justice.
“We know where he is, we know where we can find him, and we can easily go after him,” he said.
While acknowledging challenges in tracing some suspects, who “vanish from the system,” he assured Ghanaians that the law would take its course. Commending Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang for her public condemnation of the attacks, he noted, “Almost all of us at the top have condemned it. In the past, you would not get that.”
Mr. Muntaka concluded with a national appeal for unity and vigilance, urging citizens to help protect the democratic process: “We must all contribute our quota in ensuring that we live peacefully with each other regardless of gender, religion, ethnic origin, or economic or social status.”
