The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, along with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), have reassured a post-election follow-up team from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) that the Ghana Police Service is dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections in the country. The team, consisting of representatives from various West African Election Management Bodies (EMBs), is currently on a four-day mission to assess the implementation of recommendations made by the ECOWAS and AU Electoral Observation Missions following Ghana’s December 2020 general election.
During their visit to Ghana, the ECONEC team has engaged with key stakeholders in the electoral process, including the Electoral Commission (EC), the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), civil society organizations (CSOs), the Ghana Journalists’ Association, and international partners. As a major stakeholder, the Ghana Police Service was an important meeting point for the team, who were given a tour of the police headquarters by Dr Dampare, who briefed them on the operations of the police and their commitment to serving the people.
Dr Dampare highlighted the measures implemented by the Police Administration to ensure election security and a peaceful electoral process in the upcoming 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as other elections such as internal political party elections and elections in schools. The establishment of the Police Election Security Secretariat Unit was one such measure aimed at enhancing election-related processes and addressing issues effectively. Previously, the National Election Security Task Force had only convened on an ad hoc basis closer to national elections, but this approach was deemed insufficient.
Moreover, the Ghana Police Service has actively engaged with the EC, political parties, and the leadership of Students’ Representative Councils (SRCs) in universities to support the organization of internal political party elections and student leadership elections. Dr Dampare revealed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana’s two main political parties, had commended the police for their impressive security arrangements.
Recognizing the influence of social media in shaping public discourse, the IGP informed the ECONEC team that the police had implemented measures to monitor and review social media comments, particularly those made by opposing political parties. Investigators and legal teams are involved in this process, with the police taking decisive action against any criminal behavior while actively combating the spread of fake news through enhanced information dissemination efforts.
Dr Dampare emphasized that the Ghana Police Service is committed to engaging all relevant stakeholders, including the EC, political parties, civil society actors, and the electorate, in order to maintain transparency, build trust, and ensure the successful conduct of future elections.
The ECONEC post-election follow-up team’s visit to Ghana provides an opportunity to assess the progress made in implementing previous recommendations and strengthens collaborative efforts between West African Election Management Bodies, contributing to the consolidation of democratic processes in the region. The commitment demonstrated by the Ghana Police Service underscores the country’s dedication to upholding democratic principles and conducting credible elections.
As Ghana prepares for upcoming elections, the assurance from the police authorities and their proactive measures to ensure free and fair elections are crucial steps toward maintaining peace, stability, and public confidence in the electoral process.
