Head of Research for the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC), Benjamin Nsiah
Head of Research for the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC), Benjamin Nsiah is asking about which election has been held violence-free n Ghana?
His question comes on the heels of a ‘do or die’ comment by former President John Mahama.
Mr. Mahama on Tuesday served notice that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not take chances with the 2024 elections insisting polling stations will be a “do or die” affair.
According to the 2020 flagbearer of the opposition party, the electoral commission deliberately took measures to ensure that President Akufo-Addo and the NPP won the 2020 elections.
The statement has ignited reactions from many, with some security persons saying the comment will have security implications as the next election approaches.
But reacting to the comment on Happy FM’s Epa Hoa Daben Show with Don Kwabena Prah, Mr. Nsiah asked tasked state institutions to pick the former president up if they deemed the comments a national security threat.
“Which election in Ghana has not been a do or die? Which election have we organized that life was not lost? Even in parliamentary elections, people lose their lives or get wounded. Akwatia election people welded machete; Tanlensi bye-election, guns were displayed; Ayawaso West Wuogon, guns were displayed; any election contested in this country, people brandish guns, some get wounded or someone will die.
The worst part is people who get injured during elections in this country, the state doesn’t seek justice for these persons. Our elections have always been a do-or-die affair, so it doesn’t take President Mahama to tell us it is a do-or-die election.
Also as a leader, you have to always check your statements because you have followers, some will carry it in a sensational way. Also if the state institutions think what the former President has said has national security consequences, by now he should have been picked up so that we won’t come on radio shows to dissect or discuss his statement.”
Ben Ephson, the pollster has charged political parties to invest more in training polling station agents to effectively monitor elections.
His advice follows Tuesday’s comment by former President John Mahama that the 2024 election will be a “do-or-die affair” at the polling stations.