Ghana is usually described as a beacon of democracy in West Africa — a area beset with coups and political instability.
However, the nation is grappling with unresolved points forward of its December presidential election, one in every of which is the refusal by the principle opposition occasion, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to signal a peace pact — a long-standing custom throughout election years geared toward fostering a peaceable vote.
The National Peace Council (NPC)a nationwide physique that promotes the significance of peaceable elections, needs Ghanaian political events to decide to a set of agreed rules. However, the NDC has refused to consent to the agreements this 12 months, leaving many individuals involved concerning the December vote.
During Ghana’s 2020 normal election, no less than eight folks died in election-related violence, in accordance with Fact Check Ghana.
NPC chairman, Reverend Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, stated the NDC’s determination to not signal the peace pact “raises concerns about its relevance in dealing with electoral violence.” Adu-Gyamfi informed Ghana’s state broadcaster, GBC, that the council would additional interact the aggrieved occasion.
Why is the NDC refusing to signal the peace pact?
The opposition NDC argues that the NPC was ineffective in gaining its belief throughout the 2020 election.
According to NDC chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, “signing a peace declaration doesn’t mean anything to the party, as previous pacts have not yielded any results.”
The NDC stated they’re looking for justice for individuals who misplaced their lives throughout the 2020 election. NDC flagbearer and former President John Mahama blamed Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo’s authorities for the incidents.
“We need peace in the country, but there cannot be peace without justice,” the occasion chairman pressured. The NDC can be looking for investigations into allegations of stolen poll containers throughout the election received by the NPP.
The NDC has additionally argued that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is twisting the opposition’s stance relating to the peace pact. A professional-NDC group launched an announcement looking for to rebut the NPP claims.
“We, the NDC Professionals Forum (NDC PROFODUM) are appealed, but not surprised, by the NPP’s predictable attempt to twist and distort the NDC’s position on the Peace Council’s request to sign a peace pact. “The NPP’s letter is a blatant display of hypocrisy and dishonesty, and we will not stand idly by while they try to deceive the good people of Ghana,” the discussion board stated.
The ruling NPP’s response
In an announcement launched by the NPP’s normal secretary, the ruling occasion appealed to the opposition NDC to keep away from issuing unhealthy statements that might probably heighten political tensions.
Furthermore, the occasion has referred to as on all stakeholders to affix the condemnation of the NDC’s posture, claiming it’s ironic that “despite the NDC’s stated stance, they continue to be represented at the Peace Council, the IPAC [Inter Party Advisory Committee]and national security meetings. “Why are they unable to maintain a principled stance towards peace and stability of Ghana?”
The NPP additionally pressured that the nation is not going to expertise any struggle “regardless of the outcome of the 2024 general elections. The will of the people will be done.”
What do the consultants say?
At least, since final 12 months, there have been considerations raised concerning the actions of Ghana’s electoral fee. A bit of the folks together with the opposition occasion, National Democratic Congress imagine the EC is politically influenced and that the outfit has been stuffed with some officers affiliated with the ruling occasion to affect election outcomes.
Speaking to DW, a safety analyst in Ghana, Rtd. Colonel Festus Aboagye defined that a part of the issue stems from the lack of confidence within the electoral fee.
“My personal observation empirically is that the electoral commission, which is the key stakeholder, central to the electoral process has lost credibility. Its integrity as far as I’m concerned has been compromised. Therefore, it is suffering from a trust deficit,” Aboagye stated, noting that the insecurity within the electoral fee appears to be getting worse.
According to Aboagye, the scenario is such that different stakeholders increase considerations even when there may not be any challenge. Additionally, as a result of the EC is backed by the structure as an impartial physique, it appears to see itself as unaccountable to different stakeholders, he added.
Challenges in guaranteeing peaceable elections
The National Peace Council’s position is to make sure that all events signal and cling to a peace settlement. However, Aboagye believes that solely appending signatures to a peace deal is not going to essentially assure peaceable elections. Despite the decades-long adoption of a peace pact throughout elections, there has by no means been a vote devoid of violence.
“Every single election has been characterized by political violence. “The worst form of political violence occurred in 2020,” Aboagye added.
However, others worry that political violence could worsen within the upcoming election ought to the NDC refuse to signal the peace pact.
According to Albert Arhin, the nationwide coordinator of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), a physique that helps and contributes to the promotion of credible and peaceable elections in Ghana, it might be like licensing electoral violence.
The NDC may need some extent in not signing the peace settlement however “two wrongs may not make a right. Because by refusing to sign, then it means you also are saying that you may perhaps join in committing some act, because you feel that anybody “Whoever does anything is not punished. So maybe your people can also do it,” Arhin stated.
Could the NDC’s considerations be addressed earlier than the election?
With lower than three months earlier than the election and no signal of investigations but, it’s unsure that the NDC’s calls for could be met earlier than time.
Another controversial demand by the NDC is that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) appends his signature to the peace pact, an indication of assurance of peace. But Arhin stated “these are things that are impossible. They are not going to happen. “I’m not sure the attorney general is going to sign the peace pact.”
Aboagye defined {that a} key concern is the NPC’s lack of ability to impose sanctions, because it lacks the authorized authority to take action. This, he famous, is a big weak point.
What might be the answer?
It seems that the NDC’s calls for wouldn’t be addressed contemplating the little time remaining. But there must be a change within the implementation of the peace pact to make sure some stage of effectiveness.
According to Arhin, the opposition occasion ought to signal the settlement within the meantime, whereas additionally pushing for his or her considerations to be addressed.
Meanwhile, Aboagye believes adopting a authorized framework might deliver some semblance of effectiveness of profitable peace pacts throughout elections.
“We have come to the stage where we need to find some legal arrangements to enforce the implementation of the peace pact,” including that the priority set by the NPC has left extra to be desired, therefore the waning belief.
Edited by: Keith Walker
