As Ghana edges closer to the December 7, 2024, general elections, a significant standoff has emerged between the National Peace Council (NPC) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), casting a shadow over efforts to safeguard the country’s peace.
The NPC, known for its role in brokering peace agreements in previous elections, is facing resistance in its latest attempt to secure a commitment from all political parties to sign a peace pact aimed at ensuring a violence-free election period.
This standoff is rooted in the NDC’s hesitance to sign the pact, attributing its position to a series of grievances and a perceived failure by the NPC and other state institutions to address the aftermath of past electoral violence.
The NDC’s apprehension centres on unresolved issues from the December 2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election and the 2020 general elections, where violence marred the electoral process.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the NDC, in a latest remarks, pointed out the party’s stance, setting forth specific conditions that must be met before the NDC would consider signing the peace agreement.
His scepticism towards the peace pacts stems from what he describes as their failure to produce tangible outcomes, particularly in holding accountable those responsible for the violence against NDC members.
Mr Nketia’s remarks underscore the deep-seated concerns within the NDC regarding the lack of accountability for the alleged killings of their members during the 2020 elections, which the party believes were perpetrated by national security operatives.
He outlined the conditions under which the NDC would be willing to engage in the peace process. Among these, he demanded the full implementation of recommendations from the investigation into the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.
“When Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election violence happened, there was a commission that was set up, and there were recommendations. The recommendations have not been implemented so far. Condition number 1 is that let us see the full implementation of the recommendations of the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election commission of inquiry which was established by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo himself”.
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, NDC National Chairman
Mr Nketiah insisted that those found responsible for election-related violence in 2020 and Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election must be prosecuted, emphasizing the need for justice to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Illegal Printing of Ballot Papers
Furthermore, the NDC National Chairman called for accountability regarding irregularities observed in the printing of ballot papers during previous elections.
Mr Nketiah stressed that visible measures must be taken to prevent similar issues from arising in the upcoming elections.
“We don’t see what the Ghana Police Service has been waiting for all these years. And even at some point, there was an orchestration to even, I mean, lie on us that we rather were guilty of that crime. And so we officially sent our lawyers to report to the IGP that we are interested in that case. It must be investigated, and then prosecutions done when found necessary.
“We have not heard anything about it. We want action on it now. Otherwise, the next election, the same people can go and print more than 2,000,000 ballot papers”.
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, NDC National Chairman
Missing of EC’s IT Equipment
Additionally, the National Chairman of the opposition party raised concerns about the integrity of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) systems, pointing to the mysterious disappearance of IT equipment from the EC’s warehouse.
“Number 4, there is an active case of missing IT equipment from the warehouses of the electoral commission. The electoral commission has not been open to us. We suspect that the equipment is not missing. And they are being hidden for some unwholesome agenda. Because anytime we talk about it, it says the suspects have been arrested.
“And that’s all. Were the suspects arrested and the exhibits found on them, or we still don’t know the whereabouts of the equipment and that the suspects are being held responsible for being the watchdogs? We don’t have any information about it, and we are going into an election. And the same equipment is going to be used in the election ahead of us”.
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, NDC National Chairman
He demanded a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.
President’s Public Commitment to Peaceful Transition of Power
Another critical condition set by the NDC is a public commitment from the President to respect the outcome of the 2024 elections.
The National Chairman of the NDC believes that such a commitment is essential to reinforce the integrity of the electoral process and to avoid potential disputes post-election.
“When the president himself does an open declaration. I’m sure it will put to rest all the noise that is happening around us about their refusal or unpreparedness to hand over power even if they lose the elections. The voice of the leader counts so that it will reign in all his, functionaries and appointees”.
ohnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the NDC
Finally, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the NDC insisted that the Peace Pact should be signed not just by political party leaders but also by key figures such as the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, and the National Security Coordinator.
This, he stressed, would ensure that all relevant authorities are equally bound by the agreement.
The NDC’s flagbearer, in a previous statement, echoed similar concerns, arguing that signing a peace pact should not be a mere formality when the deaths of their members in 2020 remain unaddressed.
The NDC’s National Chairman latest remarks in addition to that of the flagbearer underscore the party’s broader dissatisfaction with how electoral violence has been handled, reinforcing its reluctance to commit to a new peace agreement without assurances of justice and accountability.
The implications of the NDC’s position are dire, as one of the two major political parties in Ghana, the NDC’s participation in the Peace Pact is crucial for ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
Their hesitation to sign the agreement underlines the deep mistrust in the electoral system and the institutions meant to uphold it.
If unresolved, this standoff could exacerbate tensions leading up to the elections, potentially jeopardizing the peace that Ghana has long cherished as its most precious asset.
In light of these developments, there is an urgent need for the National Peace Council and other stakeholders to engage in a more meaningful dialogue with the NDC to address their concerns.
Failure to do so could result in a fragile electoral environment where the threat of violence looms large.
Therefore, ensuring justice for past wrongs and building confidence in the electoral process are imperative steps to avert any unfortunate incidents that could destabilize the country.
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