OccupyGhana has expressed its displeasure over the spate of electoral violence which characterized the just ended general elections.
According to the pressure group, such actions have subsequently led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties.
Contained in a statement, the group strongly condemned these acts of violence, further demanding that these incidents be investigated and the perpetrators made to face the full rigors of the law.
They also maintained that, related acts of electoral or other politically motivated acts of violence have gone unbridled consequently creating a culture of laxity, “where people have believed that they can get away with it”.
“These do not speak well of a peace-loving country like ours, which is building an enviable credential in electoral processes in Africa.
“In our still fragile democracy, we must with one accord stand against anyone who calls for or engages in violence”.
Their statement comes on the back of the release by the Ghana Police Service, which reported about five people lost their lives in clashes between supporters of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress, as well as in clashes with state security agencies.
Occupy Ghana, similarly lamented the unfolding of events, reckoning it regrettable, when the violence was perpetrated by security agencies who have been tasked to ensure the safety of electorate.
“We urge the security forces to exercise the highest levels of restraint when dealing with the public. Brutality and unjustified use of deadly force against those whom they swore to protect is unacceptable and criminal.”
In light of this, the group urged the youth and party supporters to desist from acting on inflammatory utterances by some politicians to unleash violence and terror in the country.
“We have also seen across the world the devastation caused when violence is unleashed through provocative thoughtless and irresponsible statements made by politicians to their fan base.
“However, when violence results, those politicians and their families are nowhere to be found. That is why we must refuse instructions from political leaderships to engage in any social unrest or violence while their children sit comfortably at home with security. We cannot allow these to fester in Ghana.”
Calling on all stakeholders in Ghana’s electoral process, OccupyGhana also endeared security agencies to engage with political parties involved, to avert any new violent incidents or fatalities.
“We have been and remain a peaceful people. We do not condone violence and we must oppose all who for personal ambition, seek to drag this country into the abyss.”
It further called on all political leaders to restrain their faithful supporters from unleashing anymore violence in the country and vehemently condemn violence while speaking peace to the people of Ghana.
“There is no conceivable electoral dispute or disagreement that cannot be resolved in the cold calmness of the courtrooms of this land”.
The Ghana Police Service, in their assessment of the general election, announced a total of sixty one electoral and post electoral incidents nationwide.
According to a statement issued by the security agency on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, twenty one of the recorded incidents are “true cases of electoral violence, six of which involved gunshots, resulting in the death of five”.
