Akwatia: 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 emphasized the need for a peaceful electoral process, referencing Ghana's history of by-elections often being marred by violence, intimidation, misinformation, attacks on journalists, and unchecked vigilantism.
According to Ghana News Agency, the statement highlighted that these aggressive acts have negatively impacted Ghana's image as a peaceful and stable democracy in Africa and violated the nation's 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, noted current social media trends suggest a risk of unrest, urging citizens and stakeholders to maintain peace throughout the electoral process.
The organisations praised the Ghana Police Service for their actions in arresting and prosecuting eight individuals involved in disturbances during the Ablekuma North election re-run, viewing it as a strong deterrent. They urged the police to rigorously implement measures to prevent violence in the Akwatia by-elections, block weapons inflow, protect legitimate actors, particularly the media, and enforce zero tolerance for electoral violence and impunity across all parties, irrespective of affiliation.
Furthermore, the statement called on the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to exhibit their commitment to peace by ensuring their members act lawfully and responsibly. The parties were advised against transporting supporters from other regions to Akwatia, to minimize large gatherings of party officials not assigned to polling stations, and to uphold democratic values to maintain Ghana's international reputation.
Additionally, media houses were urged to reject provocative content, misinformation, and disinformation, and to commit to fair and objective coverage of the by-election. The statement also encouraged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to observe all aspects of the election and ensure that their public commentary is based solely on verified facts.
