The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has assured Ghanaians of the Ghana Police Service's readiness to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election in 2024.
Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the Civil Forum Initiative (CFI) on Tuesday, Dr. Dampare outlined detailed plans and measures put in place to safeguard the electoral process before, during, and after the polls.
According to the IGP, the police, as the lead agency of the National Election Security Taskforce, have spent over two years preparing for this year’s elections.
This preparation culminated in the development of Ghana's first-ever Election Security Blueprint, a comprehensive document covering all aspects of election security, from school elections to national polls.
“We have approached the election as a process rather than an event, and this preparation reflects our commitment to maintaining peace and security,” Dr. Dampare stated.
He emphasized that the police have implemented measures to ensure that all electoral campaigns so far have been peaceful, attributing the success to collaboration between political parties, civil society, and the public.
Dr. Dampare highlighted that the security blueprint includes a 5,400-page security deployment strategy detailing arrangements to cover every facet of the election. He noted that potential hotspots for conflict, particularly during vote collation, are being given special attention.
“We are collaborating with the Electoral Commission to establish standardized collation centers that prioritize security. These centers will have fenced environments with controlled access for only authorized individuals such as media personnel, observers, party agents, and candidates,” he explained.
To ensure orderliness, the collation process will follow a well-structured system, with designated seating arrangements and clear protocols for processing results from polling stations.
Dr. Dampare assured the public that the police would not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the electoral process. He emphasized that the police have already dealt with isolated incidents of election-related violence in accordance with the law and continue to pursue individuals involved in such activities.
“We know who we are looking for, and we will not stop until they are apprehended. The peace of this country is non-negotiable,” he stressed.
The IGP called on all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and citizens, to support the police in their efforts to uphold peace during the elections.
“This election should set a new benchmark for peace and security in Ghana. Together, we can achieve this and show the world the maturity and decency of our democracy,” he concluded.
The Ghana Police Service remains confident that their extensive preparations will ensure a smooth and secure electoral process, reflecting the country’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
Taking his turn, Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and a member of the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), has expressed confidence in the Ghana Police Service’s readiness to ensure peaceful elections in 2024.
Dr. Akwetey lauded the collaborative efforts between civil society and security agencies.
“We have worked closely with the police since 2008, fostering a strong partnership to uphold democracy and maintain peace during elections,” he stated.
Reverend Fred Degbe, a founding member of the Civic Forum, also highlighted the importance of continued engagement between stakeholders to improve election security.
“Over the years, these interactions have been very enlightening, and we trust that the police will only build on past successes,” he remarked.
The Civic Forum Initiative, comprising major civil society organizations, reiterated its commitment to supporting a peaceful and credible electoral process.
On his part, Reverend Michael Quaicoo, Director for Governance, Justice, and Peace at the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, expressed confidence in the Ghana Police Service's readiness to ensure security for the upcoming elections.
Rev. Quaicoo commended the detailed preparations outlined by the police, including security deployment to polling stations.
"I am very reassured by the level of preparedness and the measures put in place to ensure a peaceful election. From our perspective, the police are ready and willing to deliver their mandate," he said.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, a member of the Civic Forum Initiative, assured Ghanaians of its commitment to supporting a secure and credible electoral process.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
Comments