President John Dramani Mahama has charged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to ensure those behind the electoral violence that marred the last exercise in some parts of the country face the full rigours of the law.
He says although Ghana demonstrated to the world its commitment to democracy, following how people conducted themselves, there were a few reports of violence that cannot be overlooked.
Speaking at the National Peace Council’s 2024 post-election conference held under the theme “Dialoguing for a Stronger Democracy and Social Cohesion” in Koforidua Friday, July 4, 2025, he said the country, has, on a whole, come far.
“While Ghana once again demonstrated its democratic resilience in the 2024 elections, culminating in a largely peaceful transfer of power, we cannot ignore that the process was marred by isolated acts of violence in some constituencies.
“Let me use this platform to unequivocally condemn these acts of violence and call for swift accountability for the perpetrators,” he stated.
“I request that the IGP expedite investigations into these acts of electoral violence and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
He also disclosed that the “Attorney-General is also working on a report to be presented to victims and relatives of those affected by the violence.”
President Mahama commended the various stakeholders in the elections, including the “Electoral Commission, our security services, civil society organizations, political parties, and the electorate for their collective role in ensuring that Ghana’s democratic credentials remain intact after the 2024 election.”
He used the opportunity to advise for people not to let their political differences divide them, and highlighted on the impact of disbanding vigilantism on Ghana’s electoral system.
“But we must go further. Our political differences must never become tools for division, mistrust, or violence.
“The disbandment of party vigilante groups through the passage of the Vigilantism and Related Offenses Act 2019, Act 999, was a step in the right direction and it has reduced politically motivated violence to some extent,” he stated.
Full text: Speech delivered by Mahama at launch of ‘No Fee Stress’ policy in Koforidua
