Following the general elections in 2024, the Ghana Police Service has been criticized by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Steering Committee for their “lackadaisical” response to violent and disorderly situations.
The committee expressed alarm in a news release following an emergency meeting on Tuesday, December 10, regarding the increasing number of alleged acts of property destruction, intimidation, and vandalism committed by National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters.
The NPP said that in multiple collation centers, including those in the constituencies of Fanteakwa North, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Techiman South, and Aowin, its parliamentary candidates and a few Electoral Commission (EC) staffers were detained at gunpoint.
According to the party, these people were forced under duress to declare results in favor of the NDC.
The NPP also charged that NDC supporters had stolen, set fire to, and destroyed its parliamentary candidates’ assets as well as public properties.
“This is unacceptable! This is lawlessness!” the statement declared.
“The leadership of the party is deeply worried about these happenings and particularly concerned about the inaction of the Ghana Police Service in most instances.”
The NPP was very critical of the Police Service for what they saw as its inaction in the face of lawlessness.
The police were urged by the party to step up and make sure those responsible for these terrible crimes are brought accountable.
“We are particularly disappointed in the leadership of the Police Service for its lackadaisical handling of the unfolding lawlessness,” the statement read.
The party further urged Ghanaians and civic society to denounce the violent acts, claiming that they jeopardize the country’s democratic and security underpinnings.
Notwithstanding its dissatisfaction with the election results, the NPP asked its supporters and members to maintain composure and refrain from taking any retaliatory action.
The Steering Committee urged party members to use the proper channels to provide helpful critiques and recommendations as the party starts to reorganize, refocus, and plan for next elections.
All political parties must respect the rule of law, the NPP emphasized, and the NDC was urged to condemn acts of violence and vandalism committed by its followers.
“This is definitely not the change Ghanaians voted for,” the statement added.
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