Government to fully implement recommendations on election violence — Interior Minister

The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has directed the full implementation of recommendations made by the Special Investigation Taskforce on election-related violence, saying government is committed to ensuring justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.

Addressing the media in Accra, the Minister said the report, which has been submitted to the President, covers violent incidents recorded during the 2020 and 2024 general elections, as well as the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.

He said the findings indicated that four cases were currently before the courts, three were under investigation, and two had been resolved by the parties involved.

Quoting the report, Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak said the use of the military in crowd-control operations should cease, noting that such deployments had contributed to fatalities in past elections.

“There were instances of clear breaches of discipline, violations of legal requirements and total neglect by officers who were either present or responsible for situations that required prompt and responsive actions,” he said.

He said some security personnel used live ammunition in situations that required restraint, resulting in deaths and injuries.

The report documented 12 incidents of electoral violence across both elections, leading to 15 deaths and 39 injuries. According to the Minister, the 2020 elections recorded six cases with eight deaths and 30 injuries, while the 2024 elections recorded six cases with seven deaths and nine injuries.

The Taskforce recommended improved coordination among security agencies to ensure appropriate use of force during elections and to prevent excessive actions during crowd-control operations.

Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak said government would ensure the prosecution of persons involved in the violence, and compensation for affected families.

“Perpetrators of the violence would be prosecuted, families of the deceased would be compensated whilst those injured would also be given the due compensation,” he said.

The constituencies affected by the incidents include Ablekuma Central, Ahafo Ano West, Awutu Senya, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Banda Ahenkro, Damongo, Nkoransa South, Odododiodio, Savelugu, and Techiman South.

He urged improved training and empowerment of security personnel to prevent future occurrences and to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process.