IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare (4th L) with other security chiefs at the meeting
INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has pleaded with various political parties not to resort to any violent behaviour during the election process as it stands a chance of denting the country’s hard-earned democratic reputation.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with the leadership of political parties to discuss security arrangements for the upcoming December general election, Dr. Akuffo Dampare, who doubles as the National Elections Security Taskforce (NESTF) Chairperson, emphasised the need for political parties to resolve to dialogue against confrontation and conflict.
“We urge you to prepare for both victory and defeat. Ultimately, the power lies with the Ghanaian people. The true winner of this election is Ghana, and when Ghana wins, Africa and the black race win. It’s not war but elections,” he stated.
The IGP underscored the taskforce’s commitment to professionalism, fairness, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
“We assure you of our dedication to creating a secure environment for the elections. Our actions will be impartial and guided by the law, and anyone who violates these laws will be made to face the law,” he said.
The IGP acknowledged the trust political parties have demonstrated in the Ghana Police Service as the leading law enforcement agency under the taskforce, referencing their reliance on the service during their internal elections and by-elections, which were largely incident-free.
Commending the political parties for their efforts to ensure peaceful campaigns, the IGP emphasised the importance of maintaining this trend.
He assured the leaders that the security arrangements for Election Day are robust, with adequate measures in place to prevent any disturbances.
The IGP, however, reminded political stakeholders of the realities of the electoral process, noting that while the elections will see 12 presidential aspirants and 801 parliamentary candidates, only one presidential candidate and 276 parliamentary hopefuls will emerge victorious.
IGP Dr. Dampare called for patriotism and responsibility from all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and the Electoral Commission, urging them to work within the confines of the law to ensure a peaceful and successful election.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke
