Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo Tuesday reiterated his commitment to enforcing laws on vigilantism to ensure free, fair, transparent, and credible elections next December.
Speaking at the presentation of credentials to nine newly appointed diplomats at the Jubilee House, the President emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and order during the election period.
“Ghana has long been a beacon of democracy on the African continent, and it is our collective duty to safeguard this reputation,” President Akufo-Addo declared.
“Anyone who seeks to subvert the free will of the people will be dealt with in accordance with the law…Any individual or group found culpable and falling foul of the law will be made to face its full rigours. Vigilantism has no place in our democratic space” he warned.
The issue of vigilantism has been a persistent challenge in Ghanaian politics, with various incidents of violence and intimidation associated with political activities in recent run-ins toward elections.
President Akufo-Addo called on all political parties and candidates to respect the democratic process and the will of the Ghanaian people.
He urged them to conduct their campaigns peacefully and to avoid any actions that could undermine the integrity of the elections.
“No candidate or political party is superior to the will of the Ghanaian people,” the President asserted.
“Government is determined to enforce strictly the law on vigilantism. Any individual or group found culpable and falling foul of the law will be made to face its full rigours” he added.
Meanwhile, the government, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, has put in place measures to ensure that the election period is peaceful and that any acts of violence or intimidation are swiftly addressed.
President Akufo-Addo who was first elected in 2016 is term-limited and will not be running when Ghanaians vote in presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7th 2024.
WN/as/APA