By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, Dec 12, GNA – The Greater Accra Regional Peace Council and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) have called on security agencies to take firm action against those involved in violence and vandalism following the 2024 general election.
The two bodies emphasized that such measures would serve as a deterrent to others and help maintain peace in the country.
Reports have surfaced of attacks and vandalism targeting state institutions, including the Ghana Gas Company at Airport, Tema Harbour, and the Passport Office at the Ministry, allegedly carried out by a group of youth after the election results were declared.
The two institutions made the call on the sidelines of a sensitization event on “prevention of violent extremism and terrorism” for youth in the Odododiodioo Constituency on Wednesday.
Mr. Mawuli Agbenu, Greater Accra Regional Director of NCCE, expressed deep concern over the situation.
He described attempts to forcibly take over state institutions as “illegal” and called on Ghanaians to allow due process to ensure a peaceful and smooth transition of power.
“We understand that some of these positions they are taking are political positions, which means that the same thing happened to them when they lost and so they are going to pay back, but we know that that is not the way to go.
“There are no need stampeding people, this is illegal, and I think the president-elect is right to have called the IGP and the powers that be to deal with those people as criminals because this is not what the political parties are for,” he said.
The sensitization event, organized by the National Peace Council with support from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aimed to raise awareness about the threat of violent extremism to the nation’s peace and security.
Mr. Agbenu noted that the activities of violent extremism continued to pose a significant security threat to Ghana.
He urged citizens to stay alert and take an active interest in events within their communities to help prevent such threats.
The event is being held in communities identified as hotspots for potential violent extremism and radicalization, including James Town, Ashaiman, Nima, and Mamobi.
Mr. Enoch Attoh Okai, Executive Secretary of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, described the recent post-election violence as “unfortunate.”
He referred to those involved in such acts as “thugs” who must be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.
“They are not incidents that need to happen. Elections have been declared, we have a president-elect, but we should all remember that we are all Ghanaians, we have a stake in every property of this country,” he stressed.
Mr. Okai said it was important to build community resilience to detect early warning signs and respond swiftly to violent extremism.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant, stressing that as Ghana transitioned from the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, it was crucial to prevent any grouping from exploiting any weaknesses in the country’s security.
GNA