As a Senior Lecturer closely monitoring the recent Ablekuma North election re-run in 19 polling stations, the recorded violent incidents raise serious concerns for me and many other peace-loving citizens. The attacks, especially the assault on Hon. Hawa Koomson—a former Minister and a leading political figure—are not just an affront to democratic values but a dangerous escalation that threatens national peace. It is incumbent upon President John Dramani Mahama to rise above partisanship and act decisively to preserve Ghana’s peace.
First, the President must publicly and unequivocally condemn the violence that marred the re-run. Silence in the face of such brazen attacks could be interpreted as tacit approval. Ghana’s democracy has matured too far for political violence to be treated as routine. President Mahama, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and the symbolic father of the nation, must demonstrate leadership by calling out this misconduct and reassuring the public of his commitment to peace and lawfulness.
What is particularly troubling in this incident is that the attackers did not even attempt to hide their identities. Their faces were clearly visible and captured on camera during the assault. This blatant boldness is a chilling testament to the confidence they have that the Mahama administration will neither arrest nor prosecute them. When perpetrators of violence feel protected by power or politics, it sends a message that the rule of law is selective and undermines the very foundation of democratic accountability.
Second, the President must instruct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch an immediate and impartial investigation, followed by the swift arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Anything less emboldens political thuggery and sends a dangerous message that violence has a place in our electoral processes.
If the state fails to act, the consequences could be dire. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) may be compelled to reactivate its previously disbanded vigilante groups such as the Invisible Forces in Accra, Delta Forces in Kumasi, and Kandahar Boys in the Northern Region—entities with known capacities for violence. Such a development would plunge the country into a dark era of retaliatory violence, undermining years of progress made since the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), which was enacted under former President Nana Akufo-Addo to disband vigilante groups.
The implications go beyond Ablekuma. If President Mahama fails to act now, and violence recurs during the impending Akwatia by-election or, worse, during the 2028 general elections, he must be held personally accountable by the people of Ghana. Leadership is not only about winning elections; it is about safeguarding the peace and democratic integrity of the nation.
President Mahama’s legacy and Ghana’s stability are at a crossroads. The time to act is now.
By Dr. Daniel Quacoe
Senior Lecturer, Ghana Christian University College
