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Election 2024: Beyond the Peace Pact, what next?

By Pearlvis Atsu Kuadey

As Ghana approaches the 2024 general election, the issue of peace has never been more crucial or contested, and the National Peace Council‘s role is once again under scrutiny. Established to facilitate and develop mechanisms for conflict prevention, management, and resolution, the council aims to build sustainable peace in the country. This mandate becomes even more critical during an election year. However, its efforts are being met with skepticism from a section of the populace, particularly from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). This mistrust stems from the painful memories of the 2020 general elections, where, despite signing peace pacts, violence erupted and lives were tragically lost.

The question then remains as to why these deaths are not thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. The 2020 general election starkly reminded everyone of the fragile nature of peace in Ghana’s political landscape. Despite the Council’s facilitation of peace pacts among political parties, which is a symbolic commitment to non-violence, Ghana witnessed electoral violence, that resulted in the loss of lives. The peace pact, intended to be a binding moral contract, seems powerless against the passions and machinations that fuel electoral conflict.

For many, these events are not just historical but a vivid reminder of the potential for electoral processes to go awry, even with peace mechanisms in place. The Council’s credibility has been significantly undermined by these events. Some stakeholders have questioned the value of signing another peace pact when previous ones have failed to prevent bloodshed.

The core of all these lies not only in the violence itself but also in the perception that the Peace Council has not held those responsible accountable. This perception of ineffectiveness and partiality threatens and undermines the Council’s role in the upcoming elections, casting doubt on its ability to mediate and ensure peace.

Dr. Ernest Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the National Peace Council, has responded to these criticisms, emphasising that the Council’s mandate is often misunderstood. Speaking at a News Editors’ Forum in Accra, Dr. Adu Gyamfi clarified that “Many Ghanaians have not seen or read Act 818, which established the Peace Council, and therefore have created their own understanding and perception of what the mandate of the Peace Council is, or ought to be. For example, when there are issues of criminality, instead of calling on the Ghana police, some people’s first call is, What is the Peace Council doing or saying?” Despite these clarifications, the National Peace Council’s role is crucial and cannot be reduced to mere mediation. While it may not have the power to make arrests, it must leverage its influence to advocate justice and accountability.

The Council must use its platform to highlight breaches of peace agreements and push for those responsible to face consequences, thereby demonstrating its commitment to peace through actions and not just words. To restore confidence, the Peace Council must prioritise transparency and accountability. The Council needs to transition from being just a facilitator to becoming a strong enforcer of peace. This involves setting up clear mechanisms to monitor adherence to peace agreements and ensuring that any breaches are met with swift and transparent consequences. Without these measures, peace pacts risk becoming empty promises, eroding trust and diminishing the Council’s role in ensuring a peaceful election. Additionally, the Council should advocate the strengthening of state institutions responsible for maintaining law and order during elections.

The police and judiciary must act impartially, upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. When these institutions function effectively and transparently, the Peace Council’s efforts to maintain peace will be reinforced, as parties will have greater confidence in the electoral system as a whole. While the National Peace Council plays a pivotal role, the responsibility for a peaceful election lies with every Ghanaian. Political parties, Civil Society Organisations, the media, and citizens must all commit to upholding the values of democracy and non-violence. Signing a peace pact should be more than a symbolic gesture; it must be a genuine commitment to the principles of respect, tolerance, peace, unity, and dialogue and collaboration for development.

All political actors must recognise, appreciate, and abide by the words of Martin Luther King Junior, who once said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” Only through collective commitment to these principles and of fairness and mutual respect can Ghana emerge from the 2024 general election as a stronger and a more united nation and as a critical test for Ghana’s democracy.

The National Peace Council is at a pivotal crossroad, with the chance to demonstrate its effectiveness and restore confidence in its mandate. This goes beyond merely signing another peace pact, but through concrete actions, accountability, collaboration and justice.