As Ghana prepares for the upcoming by-election in the Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region, two leading civil society organisations—the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI)—have issued a strong call for peace, urging all stakeholders to avoid the violence and disorder that have marred previous by-elections in the country.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, IDEG-CFI warned that the atmosphere leading up to the Akwatia by-election has already shown signs of tension, particularly on social media, where inflammatory language and provocative messages are on the rise.
“History shows that by-elections in Ghana have often been accompanied by violence, intimidation, misinformation, attacks on the media, and the unchecked operations of vigilante groups,” the statement said. “Such actions tarnish Ghana’s image as a peaceful and stable democracy.”
The organisations appealed to several key groups to help safeguard the integrity and peace of the electoral process.
Commendation for Police, Call for Vigilance
IDEG-CFI praised the Ghana Police Service under Inspector General of Police Tetteh Yohuno for the recent arrest and prosecution of eight individuals involved in the Ablekuma-North election re-run, calling it a “strong precedent” in the fight against electoral violence.
They urged the police to maintain this momentum in Akwatia by preventing the inflow of weapons, ensuring the safety of all electoral actors—especially journalists—and enforcing zero tolerance for violence regardless of political affiliation.
Political Parties Urged to Act Responsibly
The group also directed a firm appeal to the country’s two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), urging their leadership to ensure that members and supporters conduct themselves lawfully.
Specifically, IDEG-CFI called for an end to the bussing of supporters into the constituency, restrictions on large gatherings of party officials without direct roles at polling stations, and a recommitment to peaceful democratic practices.
Responsible Media and Civil Society Participation
Media organisations were asked to reject inflammatory content and disinformation while providing objective and balanced coverage of the election. Civil society groups were encouraged to monitor the process closely and restrict public commentary to verified facts.
“May we pray for a peaceful, transparent, free and fair outcome of the Akwatia by-elections and for the lasting peace of our beloved Mother Ghana,” the statement concluded.
The release was signed by Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ansah, Vice Chairperson of the Civic Forum Initiative, and Mr. Kwesi Jonah, Head of Advocacy and Institutional Relations at IDEG.
The Akwatia by-election is expected to draw national attention, and civil society’s call serves as a timely reminder of the country’s collective responsibility to protect its democratic values.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com
