The Director of Policy Engagement and Partnership at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has called for a holistic and proactive approach to addressing electoral violence in Ghana.
According to Dr Asante, the growing normalisation of violence during elections signals a deep-rooted systemic problem that cannot be resolved through surface-level interventions.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show (SMS) while discussing the recent violence during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun in 19 polling stations, Dr Asante stressed the need to go beyond reactive measures.
“There is something fundamental that we have to address,” he said, referencing the disturbances that marred voting at 19 polling stations during the rerun of the 2024 parliamentary election in the constituency.
Dr Asante warned that failing to tackle the root causes of electoral violence could lead to a national crisis.
“We have been doing this thing for over thirty years; one day we are not going to be lucky if we keep on this path,” he cautioned, highlighting the potential for an escalation that could endanger lives and destabilise Ghana’s democracy.
He called on all stakeholders, comprising political leaders, security agencies, civil society, and the Electoral Commission, to act swiftly and decisively to protect the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system.
“We need to safeguard the peace and stability of our elections, not just for today, but for the long-term health of our democracy,” Dr Asante concluded.