By: Kekeli K. Blamey
The National Peace Council and the West Africa Network for Peace-building (WANEP) have strongly condemned the destruction of the Electoral Commission (EC) office and collation centre in Damongo, Savannah Region, Ghana.
The centre was set ablaze amid tensions over delayed parliamentary election results.
The incident, which occurred on December 7, has sparked widespread concern about the potential for violence and unrest in the aftermath of the elections.
In response, the National Peace Council issued a statement on December 8, urging political leaders to withdraw their supporters from collation centres and respect the integrity of the electoral process.
“It is essential that political supporters withdraw from the collation centres and allow their accredited agents to observe the collation process,” the statement read.
“This will help to reduce tensions and ensure that the electoral process is allowed to proceed without interference or intimidation.”
The National Peace Council also called on all sides to allow Electoral Commission personnel to carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity, in order to deliver a free, fair, and transparent election.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has arrested 12 suspects in connection with looting and property damage during post-election disturbances.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects were involved in several attacks, including setting the Electoral Commission (EC) office ablaze in Damongo, damaging residences of District Chief Executives (DCEs), and vandalizing collation centres.
The police also reported a break-in at the School Feeding Project Warehouse in Tamale, resulting in stolen foodstuffs and other items. One person died from gunshot wounds sustained during the attack on the Damongo EC office.
The Ghana Police Service has assured the public that the perpetrators will be made to face justice, and has urged anyone with information about the incidents to come forward.
The National Peace Council has also called on all Ghanaians to remain calm and peaceful, and to respect the rule of law.
The council emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the country, and urged all sides to work together to ensure a peaceful and democratic transition of power.
As the country awaits the official results of the election, tensions remain high, and there are concerns about the potential for further violence and unrest. However, the National Peace Council and other stakeholders are working to promote peace and stability, and to ensure that the democratic process is allowed to proceed without interference or intimidation.
