Coalition Warns of Threat to Ghana’s Democracy
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) stated on July 14, 2025, condemning the Ghana Police Service for security lapses during the July 11 Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, where armed thugs disrupted voting at St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station. The violence injured former MP Mavis Hawa Koomson, NPP candidate Nana Akua Afriyie, two journalists, and NPP deputy organiser Chris Lloyd Asamoah, as reported by Pulse Ghana.
CODEO criticized police for failing to intervene despite a robust deployment, noting officers stood by as thugs attacked. The coalition highlighted unauthorized vigilantes in unregistered vehicles, creating fear and voter suppression. These issues echo security failures during the 2024 general elections, undermining public trust in the police and democratic processes.
The rerun, covering 19 polling stations to resolve December 2024 election disputes, saw additional incidents, including police arresting impostors posing as security at Awoshie DVLA. CODEO commended the interdiction of an officer who assaulted GHOne journalist Banahene Agyekum but urged broader investigations into police conduct.
Invoking Article 202(2) of the 1992 Constitution, CODEO called on President John Mahama and the Police Council to probe the incidents and restore law enforcement credibility before the Akwatia by-election. The coalition urged the Electoral Commission, political parties, and judiciary to address election violence and vigilantism, warning that inaction threatens Ghana’s democracy.
The statement reflects growing concerns about police autonomy and electoral security, with CODEO emphasizing the need for urgent reforms to prevent further erosion of democratic stability. The violence, coupled with vote-buying and inflammatory rhetoric from NDC and NPP members, underscores the critical need for accountability to safeguard future elections.