President John Mahama said Friday he has received a detailed report documenting cases of electoral violence during the 2020 and 2024 general elections, pledging to pursue legal accountability and ensure compensation for victims.
The report, prepared by Inspector-General of Police Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, catalogues violent incidents that marred both election cycles, including fatal shootings and clashes between political supporters and security forces. The findings were formally submitted to President Mahama last week and have since been referred to Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine for legal assessment.
Mahama, addressing the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, stated that prosecutorial actions and compensation mechanisms will be pursued once the Attorney General finalizes his recommendations.
“Wherever culpability is established, the law will take its course,” Mahama said. “Victims and their families deserve justice, not just in word, but through concrete and transparent action.”
The report cites 11 total fatalities linked to election-related unrest—eight in 2020 and three in 2024—prompting renewed concerns over political violence in what has long been considered one of West Africa’s more stable democracies.
As part of a broader effort to address the issue, Mahama previously directed the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to establish a task force to investigate the circumstances of the deaths. The inquiry has included forensic analysis, interviews with eyewitnesses, and collaboration with the Electoral Commission.
The President also instructed the Attorney General’s office to design a framework for victim compensation, with a focus on fairness and transparency. Officials say this is part of a wider reform agenda aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and public trust in electoral processes.
The administration has not provided a timeline for when prosecutions or compensation disbursements will begin, but sources close to the Attorney General’s office suggest initial recommendations may be submitted within weeks.
The report marks a significant step in Ghana’s reckoning with its recent electoral history and could serve as a litmus test for Mahama’s broader pledge to restore accountability and democratic integrity.
