Albert Kan Dapaah, the Minister of National Security, has issued a warning over the potential for electoral violence as the nation gets ready for the general elections in 2024.
Mr. Dapaah emphasized the need of preserving peace and stability during the electoral process in his speech to the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, which was held in Accra under the theme “SPI National forum on social cohesion, security, and peaceful elections.” He cited previous incidents where such violence has almost torn the country apart.
“Internally and coming home to Ghana, we continue to be confronted with the threat of electoral violence which has in the past threatened to destroy our country,” he stated.
Even while Ghana has historically taken pride in the peaceful handoffs of power between its two major political parties, he emphasized the significance of not underestimating this threat and warned that it might jeopardize the integrity of our democracy.
Kan Dapaah gave gratitude to the nation’s adherence to democratic ideals and the judiciary’s role in mediating electoral disputes.
“Yes, we have succeeded as a country in ensuring a transition of power from one political party to another on modernisation,” he said.
The minister voiced worries about the high stakes and the ardent ambitions of the two main political parties ahead of the 2024 general elections.
He claims that if one of the two major political parties loses on election day, such aspirational remarks from them could spark unrest. He went on to say that this is a test of our democracy to maintain the peace that Ghana has.
“The 2024 general elections will certainly test the strength of our democracy. Given the high stakes involved, where the two major political parties appear convinced about their prospects of emerging victorious. That obviously creates a security challenge for me where I sit.” He stated.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
