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News Commentary on post-election violence and potential to derail peace

BY NELSON KOFI AKATEY, PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONER

In the last couple of days, following the December 7 elections, Ghana was thrown into a state of shock and anxiety with a series of youth demonstrations in some parts of the country, resulting in violence and the destruction of some state property. It has been alleged that the youth behind these acts of violence were supposedly National Democratic Congress (NDC) members. They were demanding the declaration of some Parliamentary candidates in their favour at some constituency coalition centres. Others were demanding the return of State properties taken away. Reports also indicated that the youth from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were behind these demonstrations following the defeat of the party in the elections.

Whichever way one looks at it, these attacks cannot be justified, especially learning from the experiences of the violence that characterised previous elections, particularly in 2016 after the declaration of Nana Akufo-Addo as President. With the formal declaration by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensah, of the victory of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as President-elect with over six million valid votes cast, attaining the required percentage and more, pending the result from 9 outstanding constituencies and the magnanimous conceding of defeat by the Vice President and flag bearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, it was the expectation of all well-meaning Ghanaians that we move on as one nation, one people with a common destiny to steer the country forward.

Two wrongs, as they say, do not make a right. These rather unfortunate incidents have no doubt cast a slur on the image of the country and the elections in particular, which have been hailed as very peaceful and transparent by the various local and foreign observer groups. This feat reaffirms Ghana’s enviable status as an oasis of peace and democratic governance in the West African subregion and beyond. It is very unfortunate that after 32 years of our democratic governance and the successes chalked up, we continue to experience acts of violence.

There is the argument that these acts of violence are as a result of leadership failure. That the perpetrators of these acts are not arrested and prosecuted for their criminal acts to serve as a deterrent to others has been a source of encouragement to continue in this way. Another school of thought is that the political system of the winner-takes-all as being currently practiced is another causal factor, which often gives birth to these acts. There is no doubt about the fact that these acts do not promote the desired peace and unity we need as a people to forge ahead in our developmental process. They retard progress and development, breed disunity, and derail the progress of the nation.
State properties destroyed, running into millions of cedis, have to be replaced against the background of the dire financial difficulties facing the state.

The call therefore by the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, during his acceptance speech on the youth to desist from such violent acts and channel their frustration and energy to the rebuilding of the State was very refreshing. One way of addressing this problem is to create employment avenues where the youth would be productively engaged, for as the saying goes, “the devil always finds work for the idle hands”.

To this end, the rollout of the 24-hour economy policy by the next government will go a long way to address the unemployment challenges. There is also the call on leadership, especially the law enforcement agencies, to deal decisively with these infractions going forward, without fear or favour, to nip it in the bud once and for all, for “a stitch in time saves nine.” Some of the shortcomings in the 1992 Constitution must be amended, and meaningful and proactive reforms made to forestall future occurrences. It is very unfortunate that these acts of violence and vandalism are gradually creeping into our body politic, setting dangerous paths into the future if not checked. Leadership of political parties must prevail on their supporters to refrain from acts that are detrimental to peace and development of the State.

As we await patiently the swearing in of the President elect, John Mahama, it is imperative to remind ourselves that it is our collective responsibility as Ghanaians to play our part towards the transformation of the country for progress and development in building the Ghana we want. Ayeeko to all Ghanaians.