The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Election Security Taskforce (NESTF), has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to ensuring peaceful, free, and fair elections on December 7, 2024. Speaking at a high-level meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Police Headquarters, the IGP outlined an enduring and comprehensive security strategy.
A landmark blueprint for electoral security
Dr. Dampare revealed that the security plan for the 2024 General Elections is the culmination of two years of rigorous planning. Termed a “blueprint for election security,” it is designed to not only address immediate electoral security needs but also serve as a standard for the next three decades.
“This blueprint will be the standard security plan for elections now and beyond, with an enduring 30 years from now in mind,” the IGP noted.
He highlighted that the same approach had contributed to the success of recent by-elections and internal political party elections, thanks to stakeholder collaboration and a collective commitment to national peace.
Nationwide deployment and operational readiness
The operational aspects of the blueprint have been disseminated nationwide, ensuring that security officers are well-prepared for their roles during the elections.
“As we speak, the aspect of the blueprint that relates to the 7th December 2024 elections has so far been distributed across the country, and officers are going through to know where they will be deployed during the elections,” Dr. Dampare explained.
Addressing collation centre challenges
Reflecting on past electoral challenges, the IGP identified collation centres as critical points of vulnerability.
In response, the NESTF has collaborated with the Electoral Commission to enforce stringent security measures at all collation centres earmarked for the 2024 elections.
“We have also realized that most of the challenges during elections come from the collation centres,” he remarked, stressing the importance of these measures to ensure a smooth and orderly process.
Building public confidence
The IGP underscored the importance of public trust in the security forces, urging stakeholders and the media to help instill confidence in the system’s ability to deliver a peaceful election.
“This is a collective responsibility,” he stated, emphasizing that assurance from all fronts is vital to Ghana’s democratic success.
A collaborative approach for peaceful elections
The engagement with CSOs is part of a broader effort to build trust and foster collaboration across all sectors.
Dr. Dampare highlighted the crucial role of trust between stakeholders and the public in ensuring a secure and credible electoral process.
As Ghana prepares for the 2024 elections, the security blueprint sets a precedent for comprehensive and enduring election security strategies, safeguarding the nation’s democratic legacy for decades to come.
