A Security Analyst has made a passionate call to Ghanaians especially those who intends to cause havoc in the upcoming general elections in 2020 to desist from such act.
To him, Mr. Adam Bonaa, such act goes a long way to destroy high earned reputation and recognition of the country as a democratic country who believes in the rule of law.
Mr Bonaa, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Security Warehouse Limited admitted that, the violence at Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election on January 31, this year would have been avoided if the parties involved had exercised patience.
Mr. Adam Bonaa made these reservation at a public forum on electoral violence organised by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Against Political Vigilantism.
The forum, which was on the theme: “Ayawaso West Wuogon, Recounting the Cost, Healing the Victims” sought to enlighten and empower citizens to kick against any form of electoral violence as the country prepares for 2020 general elections.
Giving the best way to curb the issue of political vigilantism, the security analyst indicated that, dialogue should be paramount and not through legislation.
Therefore, commended the Peace Council for having started a dialogue between the two major political parties although it did not yield its fruits.
Touching on the recently passed Law on Vigilantism, he pointed out that, the law is not in the position to help salvage the canker of political vigilantism due to the numerous non-operational laws that exist in the country.
Thence called on Ghanaians to be watchful, capture on record if possible, and report any activities of persons that seek to destabilise the peace of the nation, especially before and during the general elections.
On his part, Superintendent (Rtd) Peter Lanchene Toobu, the Former Secretary to the Inspector-General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu acknowledged that, vigilantism which has been existence some 25 years ago had been nurtured over the years by both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr Toobu, who is also the Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC for Wa West Constituency however expressed his displeasure at the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence and prayed such event should not be repeated.
The Ayawaso West Wuogon violence he noted should be a wake-up call for the major political parties and all Ghanaians to act prudently to prevent such a canker from manifesting next election year.
He meanwhile commended the Emile Short Commission of Enquiry for the great work done to unravel the facts surrounding the electoral violence but said the Government’s white paper on the Commission’s Report was not white enough as it did not act on the recommendations.
Taking her turn to speak, Dr Joana Larry Afutei, a Clinical Psychologist and a Lecturer at the University of Ghana, atressed that, the incidence in question if not addressed properly could prevent victims from taking part in the electoral processes due to the continuos replay of the violence in their memories.
When asked what could be done to reintegrate the victims into the electoral process, the psychologist acknowledged the need to have a national counselling session for all victims by qualified psychologists.
For him, the Chairman of the Coalition of CSOs Against Political Vigilantism, Mr. Thompson Mensah, there is the need for Government to extend helping hands to the victims of the Ayawaso West Wuogon election violence as some are still receiving treatment at the Hospital without any government support.
Therefore, urged government to ensure justice for the victims of the incidence to prevent any form of retaliation or vengeance before or during the general elections.
Source: Ishmael Barfi
