Credible Elections Amid “All Die Be Die”? (CDG-GH) Quizzes

Electoral violence and clashes destroy the beauty of elections the world over and Ghana must not encourage and fuel such occurrences. This calls for conscious efforts by all stakeholders towards a free, fair, and safe election at all levels.

Happenings in recent times and the Violence in Odododiodioo are worries to all who seek the best out of the December 2020 elections in Ghana.

One of the stakeholders in Ghana’s election 2020 is The Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH). The think tank has disclosed that it is worried about the increasing rate of violence in Ghana. These pre-election violent acts must be of worry to all well-meaning Ghanaians.

In its latest press release, copied to electionsinghana.com, the think-tank disclosed that the ongoing violent acts indicate the absence of the most basic internal security systems at this critical pre-election period.

It sighted acts that have elements of violence that were not taken serious as worrying. Chief among them were the Ayawaso Militia Operations in the Ayawaso Bye-elections and the most recent Episode at Odododiodioo that left many youths injured. The violence in Odododiodioo resulting from party politics must reexamine and proactive and measures put in place to deal with it.

They called on the government to learn from some of the best practices and benchmark them. “CDG-GH will advise Nana Addo`s Government, to look across its shoulder for a credible pre-election security concept from countries like Sweden, Norway, and Germany where perpetual peaceful election is a normative.” The group said.

Below is the full press release

CAUCUS FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE, GHANA (CDG-GH)

PRESS RELEASE 29th October 2020
CREDIBLE ELECTIONS AMID ALL DIE BE DIE?

Read: The 4 Big Questions: Massive Mess-Up in Voters Register, an Incompetence or a Rigging Strategy

Violence in Odododiodioo

The Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH) is worried about increasing rate of violence in Ghana during this pre-election period.
Indeed, the violence exposes the lack of basic appreciation of the concept of internal security operations, during pre-elections period, by the President. Forcing Police and Army to take positions at the boarders at this critical time, and the show of force and strength to intimidate citizens, is the wrong signal to credible free and fair election.

Terror overcomes Court
A few years ago, Delta Forces and Invisible Forces chased the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator out of his office. The court handling the case was violently overrun, putting the sitting Judge to flight and freeing the criminals. As I write not even one person has been convicted.

Ayawaso Militia Operation
Subsequent series of violent attacks, including the Ayawaso by-election terror attack, perpetrated by private NPP militia using police vehicles. They attacked and shot innocent citizens pouring out to vote. As I write no one has been apprehended or convicted. The report of the Commission on this violence has since been presented to the President and shelved.

The Dead crying for Justice
Last month, a whole Minister pulled a gun and shot to dispel a harmless crowd at a Kasoa registration center; no one raised a finger of condemnation; and the Minister is running round unpunished, hoping to fire again during the election. The kidnapping and killing of two Takoradi school girls; the killing of late Major Mahama the killing of Ahmed Soare, a journalist; the killing of late Addo Dankwa, former member of Parliament for Kibi;; the killing of former member of Parliament for Mankesim late Ekow Hayford, and many other killings are all crying for justice.

Episode at Odododiodioo
Just this week, at Bukom in Accra, was the Odododiodioo episode. A political walk on Sunday by NDC members, turned violent at Blue Gate as a result of NPP infiltration. Stones and bottles were thrown at each other, and people were shot and wounded. The shooting was captured on video. The police, to the surprise of many, is yet to arrest the man caught on video shooting.

CDG-GH`s Advice
CDG-GH will advise Nana Addo`s Government, to look across its shoulder for a credible pre-election security concept from countries like Sweden, Norway and Germany where perpetual peaceful election is a normative.

Dr E.K.Hayford
Executive Director, CDG-GH
0277606338