The Africa Electoral Institute (AEI) has encouraged the Ghana Police Service and all relevant security agencies to effect the arrest of all persons who make utterances that have the propensity to jeopardize the upcoming elections.
According to the Institute, such commentaries can be lethal.
“The African Electoral Institute will want to encourage the Security services, including National Security to take such utterances that has the potential to jeopardize our democracy and country seriously by arresting or inviting such people for investigation and where possible, put them before the law courts to have them dealt with. It is dangerous to always sweep such issues under the carpet because one can not tell how their audience interpret or think about such messages before it is too late.”
It also charged political actors and players to be circumspect in their words.
“The Institute urges all political actors to prioritize constructive dialogue, respect for each other, and peaceful competition. Elections is a competition and not a call to war and as such let us focus on issues, policies, and the vision they have for Ghanaians now and the future, rather than resorting to fear mongering or stoking fire where there is none.”
Background
During a rally in Nsawam in the Eastern Region over the weekend, the Minister for Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong asserted for the second time this year that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) was not going to win power in the general elections.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency who is also the owner of Rock City Hotel noted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was going to move heaven and earth to retain power.
“I have said that if NDC likes it not they will not win the 2024 elections. They would not win. You can check their records. They would not win. The NPP would win the elections.”
“We would do whatever it takes to win the elections. We are a political party that has pastors, imams, and traditionalists so whatever means we would take to win the elections, we would do so. Burn the sea if you don’t understand.”
In reaction to this, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the country’s largest opposition party alluded to arsonizing the hotel of the politician if anything untoward happens in the election.
“The sea cannot be burnt but a hotel can. When we get there, Insha Allah, we shall cross.”
Source:opemsuo.com