Ghana witnessing predetermined, well-orchestrated strategies to unleash violence in elections – EC Chair

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) Jean Adukwei Mensa has said Ghana is currently experiencing planned attempts to unleash violence before, during, and after elections.

According to her, this is being orchestrated to dent the image of institutions such as the EC, the Police Service and other security agencies.

Madam Jean Mensa who was speaking during a meeting with the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in Accra on Tuesday, December 5, noted with concern that politicians and their supporters have adopted the habit of using all manner of means including violence to capture power.

She said to save Ghana’s interest and the sustain the peace, the IGP and the other security agencies who have so far been efficient, put in extra effort to address the threat.

“We are aware of the security threats we face today when elections are coming. The evidence of threats to our security confronts us daily. Indeed, elections have become the lifeblood of our society, people eat, drink, and breathe elections 24 hours a day. We do witness the dialogues on our radio and TV on a 24-hour basis, the quest for power today has become so fierce.

“Based on past experiences it is now clear we cannot take any election for granted, gone are the days where we could take likely security arrangements in non-competitive elections such as the upcoming district assembly elections. It is for this reason that we acknowledge IGP and applaud him and his leadership for taking this initiative now.

“Presently one of the major challenges we face is that whereas the violence experienced in elections in the early 2000s and the early 90s were birthed out of genuine causes and disagreement, what we witness today is a predetermined well-orchestrated strategy to unleash violence before, during, and after the elections for the sole purpose of undermining the credibility and integrity of elections and denting image of institutions such as the EC, Police and other security agencies.”

Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare in his presentation, assured that the security agencies would ensure the peace of the country at all times.

“We will keep ensuring that in every election that is conducted, there is peace, security, law and order, we will do whatever it takes for the country to continue to be at peace and we will not compromise on it,” he said.

“In the bid to capture power, our politicians and their supporters use all manner of methods to achieve their goal. In the wake of this, our security and safety are not spared. Today, we witness a mysterious and targeted approach by sections of our society to destabilize the peace of our nation and threaten lives, all in a bid to control power and the resources that come with it.