Ghana, a nation hailed as a democratic icon in West Africa, faces an escalating fear over a disturbing pattern of violence and chaos at its polling stations. These incidents cast a dark shadow over the nation’s democratic credentials and raise critical questions about the effectiveness of its law enforcement agencies—the Ghana Police Service, the military, and other key stakeholders—in upholding the sanctity of elections and protecting citizens, and the very fabric of the constitution.
A Slew of Election Violence
The parliamentary re-run elections in Ablekuma North on July 11, 2025, illustrates these escalating challenges. Reports on the ground painted a troubling scene. Mavis Hawa Koomson, former Awutu-Senya East Member of Parliament for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was assaulted by unknown individuals, with videos circulating showing her using pepper spray in self-defense. At the St. Peter’s polling station, Nana Akua Owusu Afiriyie, NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North, was also intimidated by a number of thugs.
These incidents underscores the prevailing threat of political thuggery, a deep concern for election observers. “Acts of political thuggery, intimidation, and inducement of voters” were condemned by the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), who labeled them a “significant threat to Ghana’s democratic integrity.”
Nonetheless, the violence at the Ablekuma North polling station is not an isolated incident. Ghana has seen a slew of violence in previous presidential and parliamentary elections, despite its strong democratic reputation. A 2025 United Nations report on electoral violence in Ghana noted that “none of these elections have been conducted without some forms of violence, and the violent incidents keep intensifying with increasing competitive elections.” The report specifically noted the “surge and use of political vigilante groups in electoral and political activities, a phenomenon that threatens Ghana’s democracy, peace and stability.”
The 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, for example, saw the tragic deaths of at least six people. Clashes between groups loyal to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) caused widespread unrest.
“The state’s failure to hold individuals accountable for election-related violence sends a dangerous message that impunity is tolerated,” warned security expert Richard Kumadoe, stating also that this “absence of accountability not only perpetuated a cycle of violence bbut also eroded public trust in institutions meant to uphold the rule of law.”
The Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019, where nearly 20 people were injured, once again showcases this persistent issue.
Police Under Fire and Investigations
Critics of the police response to the Hawa Koomson incident are asking why officers at the scene did not intervene more assertively. Some pundits suggested the police were “overpowered by the perpetrators” or that police presence was insufficient to deter the well-organized individuals involved.
“It’s a serious indictment on our security agencies when political actors can brazenly commit violence in the presence of law enforcement without immediate arrest,” said a civil society activist who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressing frustration over perceived inaction. This raises concerns about adequate police deployment, training, and equipment, as well as potential instructions for engagement in such volatile situations. The failure to make quick arrests and prosecutions following such incidents fuels public skepticism about the police’s ability or willingness to enforce the law impartially, especially against politically connected individuals.
Ghanaians’ Eroding Trust in Law Enforcement
Apart from specific incidents, public confidence in Ghana’s police is significantly declining. A 2022 Afrobarometer survey revealed that fewer than three in 10 Ghanaians (28%) trust the police, a 12-percentage-point drop since 2017. This erosion of trust is further fueled by political interference, which a study on the politicization of the Ghana Police Service found that such interference undermines police neutrality and professionalism, especially during elections, creating a cycle of mistrust. This measurable lack of confidence underpins public frustration with law enforcement’s perceived inability to impartially handle election violence.
Journalists Under Attack
Journalists, the main driving force for transparent elections, have increasingly become targets. During the Ablekuma North re-run, three journalists — EIB Network’s Kwabena Agyekum Banahene, Multimedia Group’s Salomey Martey, and Amansan TV (ATV),Vida Wiafe — were assaulted during the Ablekuman North re-run election. Banahene was slapped by a police officer in an incident captured on video. Martey was reportedly manhandled, while Wiafe was pepper-sprayed. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) swiftly condemned these acts, emphasizing they are “a clear affront to press freedom.”
In a positive step, the Ghana Police Service has since interdicted the officer involved, referring the case to the Police Professional Standards Bureau. This action, while commendable, highlights a persistent issue of accountability and the need for thorough investigations and prosecutions.
“The perpetrators of crimes against journalists and their colleagues must be investigated and prosecuted,” said Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of International Federation of Journalists, adding, “There is no excuse for any democratic government to continue to sit on the fence, while crimes against defenceless journalists continue to increase unabated. The perpetrators of these crimes must not go unpunished.”
The Police Role and Challenges The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has the constitutional mandate to ensure peace and order during elections. They are the frontline responders, charged with protecting polling stations, securing electoral materials, and maintaining public safety. However, instances of perceived partisanship and inadequate protection for voters, polling agents, and journalists continue to erode public trust. A recent study notes that “political patronage permeates recruitment, promotions, and law enforcement practices,” creating a cycle of mistrust between political parties and the police. This political interference significantly undermines the GPS’s impartiality and professionalism, particularly during elections.
Both the NDC and the NPP frequently accused each other of manipulating the police for political gain. The NDC has previously accused the police of complicity with NPP-affiliated vigilante groups. In contrast, the NPP alleges the recent Ablekuma North attacks were orchestrated by the NDC. These competing narratives underscore the deep political divisions that undermine effective security efforts.
Military Involvement and Public Perception
Historically, the Ghanaian military’s role in elections has been limited, primarily as a last resort in severe civil unrest. While Ghana has largely moved away from direct military intervention in politics since the 1990s, some express concern that deploying the military in civilian security operations could blur lines and potentially militarize the electoral space. “Policing remains an area of critical weakness,” says one analysis, suggesting that military intervention might seem justified if domestic law and order significantly deteriorates. Most Ghanaians prefer the police to manage election security, with military support reserved for exceptional circumstances and under strict civilian oversight.
The recurring violence is deeply troubling for Ghanaians. “We want to go to the polls and exercise our constitutional right without fear,” one voter expressed in an interview with JoyNews, reflecting a widespread desire for peaceful elections. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) consistently advocates for the safety of its members, asserting that a free press is indispensable to a healthy democracy. “Journalists are the absolute lynchpin or bedrock,” a U.S. Ambassador to Ghana once said, highlighting their critical role in protecting democratic values.
A Comparative Look
Several countries in Africa continue to grapple with electoral violence, often fueled by intense political polarization and weak institutions. Togo’s recent municipal elections, for example, occurred amidst protests and a heavy security presence, raising fears of widespread violence and concerns about voter repression. Some neighbouring countries also see more direct military involvement in politics, and this is something that Ghana largely seeks to avoid.
The United States, while facing its own challenges with election integrity concerns and isolated incidents of voter intimidation, benefits from strong institutional safeguards and a long history of peaceful transfers of power. The attempted assassination of then-candidate Donald Trump in July 2024, which he survived, highlighted the extraordinary measures in place for the protection of high-profile political figures, as well as the ongoing efforts to refine security protocols.
Elections in America generally rely on decentralized administration, with multiple checks and balances at state and local levels, alongside a largely apolitical law enforcement apparatus. Physical violence at polling stations in the U.S. is exceedingly rare because of several key measures. These include proactive communication with voters about security procedures, layered security approaches around voting areas, and strict access control within polling places. There is also a strong emphasis on early planning and interagency collaboration between law enforcement and election officials, as highlighted by the Policing Institute. Additionally, extensive training for election workers in de-escalation tactics and suspicious activity reporting contributes to maintaining order. The focus in the U.S. is on securing voting systems and processes, underpinned by a high degree of public trust in the electoral system.
The Akwatia By-Election: A Test Case
The upcoming Akwatia by-election presents a critical test for Ghana’s security apparatus. By-elections in Ghana have a history of being flashpoints for violence, often characterized by political thuggery and impunity. This makes robust security planning essential to avoid a repeat of the Ablekuma North incidents.
The NPP’s stance on election security generally emphasizes the need for strong law enforcement and a firm hand against any form of electoral malfeasance. They often call for effective policing to protect their supporters and maintain order. However, they are also frequently accused of deploying their own “vigilante” groups, which critics say exacerbates violence.
The NDC, on the other hand, frequently highlights issues of police partisanship and calls for police neutrality in election security. They advocate for a level playing field and often criticize the government for allegedly using security forces to intimidate opposition supporters. The NDC also calls for greater accountability for acts of violence. Both parties express a desire for peaceful elections, but their approaches and accusations often create a climate of suspicion.
Securing Ghana’s Democratic Future
The democratic future of Ghana depends on a multidimensional approach to address election violence. Constitutional reforms are essential to insulate the Ghana Police Service from political interference, promoting merit-based recruitment and strengthening oversight. This would foster professionalism and build public confidence. Political parties, especially the NDC and NPP, must demonstrate a strong commitment to disbanding vigilante groups and unequivocally condemning all forms of violence.
Inflammatory political rhetoric only escalates tensions. Open and continuous dialogue among all stakeholders—the Electoral Commission, political parties, civil society organizations, security institutions, and media—is crucial for developing and enforcing effective election security measures. Ghana’s commendable democratic journey now faces a critical test. Its ability to ensure safe, free, and fair elections will ultimately define its lasting legacy as a democratic success story in Africa.
Written By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
