Civil society groups praise Inspector General of Police Dampare for maintaining peace during Ghana’s elections

A group of civil society organizations, led by the Civil Forum Initiative (CFI), has praised the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and the National Election Security Taskforce for their efforts in maintaining peace and security during and after the 2024 General Elections.

The delegation included members from organizations like the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), along with representatives of religious groups such as the Chief Imam’s office and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. They met with the police leadership to discuss how to address post-election challenges amid concerns of potential unrest, violence, and looting.

Reverend Dr. Fred Digby, co-chair of CODEO and leader of the delegation, highlighted the police's ability to maintain calm and control through strategic, non-violent measures. He applauded the Ghana Police Service for their composure during the elections, which helped ensure safety and order. He also clarified that the police’s restrained approach is intentional to prevent violence from escalating.

Dr. Mohamed Marzouk Abubakar Azandor, representing the Chief Imam, commended the police for their transparency and rationality. He emphasized that these qualities have boosted public confidence in law enforcement and urged Ghanaians to respect the law while holding wrongdoers accountable.

Kojo Asante from CODEO and CDD stressed the importance of sticking to constitutional processes for election-related matters. He noted that the police’s efforts to lower tensions are focused on preserving peace and stability.

Reverend Father Michael Kweku, representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, emphasized the need for accurate information and praised the police for their balanced response so far. He urged citizens to trust the legal system and allow the Electoral Commission (EC) to carry out its duties without interference.

Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Ansah from CFI reflected on how civil society has worked over the years to improve Ghana’s electoral system. He pointed out that structured transition processes are a major achievement and cautioned against misinformation and media distortions.

The delegation thanked Dr. Akuffo Dampare and the police for their commitment to peace and urged all stakeholders to continue working together to ensure a smooth post-election period and uphold Ghana’s democratic principles.

The meeting ended with a collective promise to keep fostering peace through collaboration, vigilance, and shared responsibility.