A recent nationwide protest by supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to demand a forensic audit of the voters’ register resulted in violence, particularly in the Ashanti Region. Demonstrators clashed with the police, leading to property damage and the injury of a police officer.
In Kumasi, tensions flared during the NDC’s ‘Enough Is Enough’ protest when party supporters attempted to storm the Ashanti Regional office of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Defying police instructions, the demonstrators, led by NDC Ashanti Regional Chairman Nana Akwasi Agyeman, clashed with security forces after trying to forcibly enter the EC premises.
This defiance escalated into violence, with protesters breaking the office’s glass doors and pelting stones at police officers.
Video footage from the scene shows a chaotic confrontation between demonstrators and law enforcement, with protesters disregarding agreed-upon guidelines.
In response, police officers were forced to use tear gas to disperse the increasingly aggressive crowd.
Despite the escalating situation, police exercised restraint, refraining from using firearms.
The Ghana Police Service reported that one police officer was injured during the clashes and is receiving medical attention.
However, the police denied reports that any demonstrators were shot, clarifying that no protesters were harmed by police action.
The NDC has raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the voters’ register, which the party fears could affect the credibility of the upcoming 2024 elections.
While the demonstration led to unrest, the petitioners managed to submit their grievances to EC representatives, who assured them that the concerns would be forwarded to the Commission’s headquarters for further consideration.
This incident marks a troubling development in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, highlighting growing tensions over the voters’ register and the NDC’s efforts to ensure a transparent electoral process.
The police have since restored calm in Kumasi, although the damage caused to EC properties has been described as extensive.
As the political landscape intensifies, further demonstrations are expected, raising concerns over the potential for future clashes between protesters and security forces.
