Punishing perpetrators only way to end electoral violence — Asiedu Nketia

Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that the only effective way to stop electoral violence in Ghana is through the strict punishment and prosecution of perpetrators.

Speaking during the NDC’s Thank You Tour in Tolon in the Northern Region, Mr Asiedu Nketia argued that politically motivated violence continues to recur because individuals involved in election-related attacks are rarely held accountable under the law.

“The only way to stop electoral violence is to punish the people who engage in electoral violence,” he stated.

“No document signed anywhere will prevent electoral violence.”

The NDC Chairman referenced incidents of election-related violence and killings reported in areas such as Kasoa, Techiman, and Tolon during the 2024 general elections, where several party supporters reportedly lost their lives.

According to him, despite findings and recommendations made by previous commissions of inquiry into electoral violence, many individuals identified in those investigations have not been prosecuted or punished.

“A commission of inquiry named people who should be punished, but nothing was done to them,” he said.

Mr Asiedu Nketia explained that the lack of accountability was one of the reasons he had previously expressed reservations about political peace pacts signed by parties before elections.

“If those responsible for preventing violence, arresting offenders and prosecuting them are not committed, then signatures alone cannot guarantee peace,” he noted.

He stressed that the NDC would continue to pursue justice for party supporters and citizens who died during the elections, insisting that electoral violence cases should not be abandoned simply because the polls are over.

“Violence has no expiry date,” he declared.

“The fact that we have won the election should not stop us from pursuing justice for those who died in the course of the elections.”

The NDC Chairman also cautioned party supporters against taking revenge or engaging in actions that could damage the party politically or undermine national peace.

“The way to fight for justice is not to destroy your own party,” he told supporters. “The way to fight for justice is to pursue those responsible through lawful means.”

Mr Asiedu Nketia further disclosed that John Dramani Mahama had directed the Ghana Police Service and the Inspector-General of Police to provide updates on all election-related murder investigations.

He assured party supporters that the NDC would continue mounting pressure on security agencies and state institutions to ensure justice is served for victims of electoral violence.

The comments come amid renewed national discussions on political tolerance, election security, and accountability for violence associated with Ghana’s democratic processes.