Presidency directs IGP to investigate election-related killings

The Office of the President has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffu Dampare, to initiate comprehensive investigations into the deaths recorded during the 2020 and 2024 general elections.
The directive aims to bring closure to the incidents that have marred Ghana’s democratic process and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral system.

In a letter addressed to the IGP, the Presidency emphasized the importance of resolving these cases, tasking the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to spearhead the probe.
A dedicated investigative task force is to be established within the CID to focus exclusively on uncovering the causes and perpetrators behind these election-related deaths.

Key areas of investigation
The task force is expected to collaborate with eyewitnesses, families of the victims, and individuals who may hold valuable information.
Their mandate also includes examining the conduct and involvement of security personnel deployed to affected polling stations during the elections.
To ensure a thorough investigation, the Presidency has instructed the police to employ forensic techniques, including analyzing bullet casings and weapons recovered from the crime scenes. These advanced methods are anticipated to provide critical leads in solving the cases.

Collaboration with relevant agencies
As part of the investigation, the task force will work closely with the Electoral Commission (EC) and other relevant agencies to review reports from both the 2020 and 2024 elections.
This collaborative approach seeks to understand the broader context of the incidents and address any systemic flaws that may have contributed to the violence.

A national priority
The Presidency described the election-related deaths as a significant blot on Ghana’s democratic legacy, stating that they “have left a lasting scar on our democratic process.”
The directive underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and preventing a recurrence of such tragedies in future elections.

Public reassurance
In the wake of the directive, citizens have been urged to cooperate with the investigative team while remaining calm as the process unfolds.
The government has assured the public that the findings and recommendations from the investigations will guide future reforms to safeguard Ghana’s democracy.

Next steps
The special investigative task force is expected to commence work immediately, with regular updates on its progress to be provided to the Office of the President.

As the nation awaits the outcome of these investigations, there is widespread hope that this initiative will mark a turning point in addressing electoral violence and restoring faith in Ghana’s democratic institutions