Paul Abroampah, Programs Manager for Security Sector Governance at CDD-Ghana, has hailed the preparation for the 2024 general elections as the most peaceful in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
Speaking on ABC News GH on December 2, 2024, Abroampah emphasized that despite minor incidents, the current electoral climate has been notably calm compared to past elections.
He pointed out that in 2020, violent incidents such as deaths, vandalized party offices, and gun violence were prevalent, but this year, such issues have been absent.
He attributed the peaceful environment to the concerted efforts of stakeholders, but warned that two critical stages—political rallies and the final vote counting—remain crucial to ensuring the overall peace.
Abroampah expressed concerns about the final political rallies set for December 5, 2024, when the two major political parties, NDC and NPP, will hold their concluding campaign events.
These rallies have historically been hotspots for violence, including fatalities and crowd crushes. He noted that if the rallies proceed peacefully, the country will have overcome a significant hurdle in achieving a peaceful election.
Reflecting on past elections, he referenced the tragic events during the 2020 collation and jubilations in Techiman and Odorduduoduo, where lives were lost, and urged for caution in the final stages of campaigning.
In addition to the peaceful atmosphere, Abroampah commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for its proactive efforts in building trust with the Ghanaian public.
He highlighted how the EC has successfully mediated disputes, such as bringing the NDC back into the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), a task that was unsuccessful in 2022.
He also praised the EC’s transparency in providing requested electoral data, signaling a positive shift in its relationship with political parties.
According to Abroampah, these actions reflect the EC’s preparedness to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election process.
Despite the positive outlook, political analyst Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere raised concerns over recurring inefficiencies within the EC.
Speaking on ABC News on December 2, 2024, Dr. Otchere criticized the Commission’s lack of coordination and communication, suggesting that these issues could jeopardize the integrity of the election.
He specifically referenced the recent rescheduling of the Special Voting exercise for the Eastern and Western Regions due to faulty ballot papers.
Dr. Otchere called for immediate improvements, stressing that any further missteps could undermine Ghana’s democracy as the nation approaches the December 7 elections.
