The 2016 general election in Ghana is widely celebrated as one of the most peaceful and well-organized in the country’s Fourth Republic. According to ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, a Police Planning Officer at the UN Mission Support for Justice Reform, this success was the result of deliberate and systematic strategies.
Speaking at the “Peace Through Democracy” forum organized by the GIMPA Law Students Association on Wednesday, Dr. Agordzo emphasized the unprecedented efforts by the National Election Security Task Force (NESTF) and stakeholders.
Key Factors Behind the 2016 Success:
- Stakeholder Dialogue:
The NESTF adopted a dialogical approach, engaging political parties, youth groups, religious leaders, and civil society organizations. A notable outcome was the Adaa Communiqué, where political parties renounced violence and disavowed vigilante activities. - Nationwide Consultations:
Open discussions with stakeholders, led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and police leadership, clarified potential points of contention and fostered trust. - Educational Campaigns:
Over 5,000 election booklets were distributed to senior security officers and 42,000 copies to police officers, detailing their roles and emphasizing their subordination to presiding officers at polling stations. - Community Policing:
Police visited churches, mosques, and communities, building public trust and cooperation ahead of the elections. - Strategic Deployment:
Special police officers were deployed to border areas, while no military personnel were stationed at polling stations, preventing voter intimidation.
Dr. Agordzo contrasted the peaceful 2016 elections with the 2020 elections, where violence led to eight deaths and 61 reported incidents of electoral and post-electoral violence, including six cases involving gunshots.
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He attributed the 2016 outcome to deliberate planning and inclusivity. “It didn’t just happen. It was the result of deliberate efforts,” he remarked, urging stakeholders to prioritize these strategies in future elections.
