Ghana Police Assures Of Maximum Security On Election Day
Ghana Police Service has given an assurance of maximum security at all polling stations on Election day.
This assurance came few days to the election after engagement with various political parties in Accra on Thursday.
Addressing the major stake holders in a brief press conference at the police headquarters in Accra, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George stated that security will be at its peak during the election period.
He explained that, the utmost vigilance by political parties, police and government will be required to ensure that political tensions are kept in check.
He said various measures have been implemented to guarantee a peaceful electoral process but was quick to add that, this could only be successful with corporation from the general public and other security agencies.
In a related issue, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Charles Kofi Adu, has stated that security for the Election 2024 is rested solely with the police and entreated persons looking for security to engage their service.
“We don’t want a situation where the media will take the law into its own hands and try to address some of the security issues by itself. If you have any security concerns, share it with the liaison officer to communicate it to the Regional Command to inform the national headquarters,” he stressed.
This follows a meeting held on Wednesday November 20, 2024, between the police leadership, led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare and the media – comprising Senior Journalists and News Editors.
One could be reminded that political violence poses a serious threat to deliver free and fair elections and undermines the legitimacy of the state on adhering to the will of the people on december, 7th 2024.
Since political part elections for local government began in mid-1992, hundreds of people have been killed as a result of political violence in Ghana and thousands displaced.
Not all of these violence can be linked directly to elections but the heightened tension created by competition for public office has exacerbated existing conflicts and created new ones.
In this regard, politicians, police and public commentators have regularly denounced political violence, repeated their resolve that those responsible for the crimes will be brought to justice and urged citizens not to allow themselves to be used for political thuggery.
Nonetheless, politicians invariably, round off these injunctions with an accusatory finger pointed at their political opponents but little concrete action is taken against those who use violence to further their political ambitions.
The perpetrators of violence and their sponsors often enjoy complete impunity for their actions both from the official law enforcement bodies and from their own political parties.
In the last days preceding elections 2024, the Ghana police met other security stake holders to play their roles so security issues can be handled during the elections.
Source: Frank Owusu Obimpeh/Priscilla Ndede
