Africa-Press – Ghana. The Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) and the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) have called on all stakeholders to ensure peace in the upcoming Akwatia by-election.
In a joint statement, the organisations said while the by-election should proceed without fear or tension, Ghana’s history of by-elections has often been marred by violence, intimidation, misinformation, attacks on journalists, and unchecked vigilantism.
“These acts of aggression have tarnished Ghana’s image as a peaceful and stable democracy in Africa and flagrantly violate the nation’s deeply held values of neighbourliness and communal security,” the statement signed by Rev. Dr Emmanuel Ansah, Vice Chairperson of CFI, and Mr. Kwesi Jonah, Head of Advocacy and Institutional Relations at IDEG, said.
The statement noted that current trends on social media suggest a risk of unrest.
It therefore appealed to the conscience of all citizens and stakeholders to safeguard peace before, during, and after the poll.
The two organisations commended the Ghana Police Service for arresting and prosecuting eight individuals involved in disturbances during the Ablekuma North election re-run, describing the action as a strong deterrent.
We urge that the Police rigorously implement measures to stop violence in the Akwatia by-elections, block weapons inflow, protect all legitimate actors, particularly the media, and enforce zero tolerance to electoral violence and impunity across all parties, irrespective of affiliation,” the statement said.
It called on the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to demonstrate their commitment to peace by ensuring that their members act lawfully and responsibly throughout the electoral process.
The parties were urged to avoid transporting supporters from other regions to Akwatia, minimise large gatherings of party officials not assigned to polling stations, and uphold democratic values to protect Ghana’s international reputation.
The statement also urged media houses to reject provocative content, misinformation, and disinformation, and to commit to fair and objective coverage of the by-election.
It encouraged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to observe all aspects of the election and ensure that their public commentary is based solely on verified facts.
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