Ghana’s Minority Caucus has issued a forceful condemnation following violent disruptions during the parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North, describing the events as “the most serious assault on Ghana’s democracy since the return to constitutional rule.”
According to the Minority, today’s violence was not random, but a coordinated series of attacks carried out with “military-like precision” across multiple polling stations, specifically targeting opposition figures, party agents, and journalists.
At the St. Peter’s Society Methodist Church polling station in Odorkor, former MP Hawa Koomson was reportedly assaulted, while NPP parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Afriyie sustained facial injuries. Other victims included former MP Darkoa Newman and several polling agents, who fled in terror alongside voters.
The Minority’s statement also cited impersonation of security personnel at the Awoshie DVLA polling center, clashes with law enforcement at Asiedu Gyedu Memorial School, and violent incidents at the Church of Pentecost polling station, where journalists were attacked. GHOne TV’s Agyekum Banahene and a JoyNews reporter were among those assaulted.
Most alarming to the Minority, however, was the “shameful justification” of the violence by top government officials. Dr. Hanna Louisa Bissiw, CEO of the Minerals Development Fund, allegedly condoned the attacks, while Malik Basintale, Acting CEO of the Youth Employment Agency, praised one of the assailants on social media.
“The President cannot remain silent while his appointees glorify violence against elected officials,” the statement read, demanding their immediate dismissal within 48 hours. The Minority also called for a full police investigation, arrests of all perpetrators, and an unambiguous public condemnation from President John Mahama.
The Minority accused the Ghana Police Service of failing to protect the democratic process and raised serious concerns about the alleged role of Chief Superintendent Lumor Frederick Senanu in facilitating the violence.
“These are not spontaneous incidents. This is electoral terrorism. This is the systematic dismantling of democratic norms,” the Minority warned, urging civil society, media, and international partners to hold the government accountable.
As Ghana stands at a democratic crossroads, the Minority Caucus says its commitment remains unshaken: “We will not allow political barbarism to define this Republic. Ghana must rise against this tide of state-sanctioned violence.”
