Ablekuma North never again!

Regrettably, our democracy scored a low point last Friday, July 11 following violence that rocked the rerun of elections in 19 polling stations in the Able­kuma North Constituency of the Greater Accra Region, to resolve the electoral dispute between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) can­didate, Ms Akua Owusu Afriyie and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, that delayed the declaration of the constituen­cy election results by the Elector­al Commission (EC) at the 2024 general elections.

What was expected to have been a peaceful election in only 19 polling stations to give way to the EC to declare the win­ner, and close the chapter on the 2024 general elections, and peaceful transfer of power from government (NPP) to the then opposition party (NDC), and very significantly give the people of Ablekuma North a voice in Parliament after nearly seven months of lack of representa­tion in the country’s legislative body, rather turned unnecessarily violent.

The former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture De­velopment and former Mem­ber of Parliament, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, journalists, other individuals were physically attacked and assaulted by a yet to be identified group, that stormed the Methodist Church 1 and the St. Peter’s Polling stations in Odorkor, ostensibly to cause mayhem.

Sadly, Ablekuma North Constituency tallies as a potential flash point in political contest, at the time that efforts are being made to bring peace to flash points and create conducive environments for violence free peaceful political contests across the country.

Very regrettable, the incident took place at sacred places of worship for salvation of human­kind!

Understandably, the incidents at the Methodist and Catholic churches have drawn strong condemnation from well-mean­ing individuals and organisations, who are calling for prompt inves­tigations by the security agencies to arrest those responsible and ensure they face the full force of the law as a deterrent to others.

Unfortunately, in public reac­tion to the incident, some have imputed “political equalisation” suggesting that it served Mrs Koomson right, recalling her posture during a limited voter registration at one of the Polling Stations in the Awutu Senya Constituency prior to the 2020 elections.

We can’t help but ask: haven’t we learned any lessons from the Awutu Senya incident in 2020, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Techi­man South, and others? Isn’t it time we said no to violence and moved forward as one people with a shared future — unit­ed to fight poverty, ignorance, and disease? Can’t we grow our democracy without turning to thuggery and intimidation at the polls? What do we really gain from violence creating more violence? Do two wrongs make a right?

Democracy is about ideas — and we have the ideas to win votes, so there is no need for violence or intimidation. Gang­sterism has no place in a civilised society.

We at The Ghanaian Times find this incident unacceptable. It damages our reputation as a peace-loving people who are working to strengthen our democracy, live in harmony, and uphold the values of tolerance, respect for each other’s rights, and acceptance of different views — all of which are key parts of democratic governance.

Nevertheless, we salute Ms Aubynn for her new status as the Member of Parliament-elect for Ablekuma North and equally, wish Ms Afriyie better luck next time!

Women are known for pro­moting peace, so it is unfortu­nate that an election involving women, which should have been peaceful, ended in violence.

That said, let the past stay in the past. We urge the MP-elect to promote unity and peace in the constituency, and help Ghana move forward — especially to change Ablekuma’s image as a possible trouble spot.

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