- The Ghana Armed Forces have warned of possible intervention if election violence surpasses the police's ability to control it
- Such military intervention would likely constitute a coup
- The situation reflects a regional trend of increasing military involvement
Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), has warned that Ghana’s democracy faces serious risks if the potential for election-related violence is not effectively addressed.
In an interview, Dr. Akwetey highlighted that the Ghana Armed Forces have previously stated their intention to intervene should election-related violence exceed the Ghana Police Service’s control.
Dr. Akwetey emphasized that these repeated threats from the military, which began in 2016 and have resurfaced in 2020 and possibly even earlier, should be taken seriously as they signal a potential end to democratic governance and a shift towards military rule.
“The Armed Forces of Ghana have consistently warned that if election violence escalates beyond the police’s capacity to manage, they will step in to safeguard the country’s peace and unity,” Dr. Akwetey explained. “This intervention would effectively constitute a coup, as the police are not equipped to handle widespread violence, particularly during presidential elections, which involve the entire nation.”
He also pointed out that the situation is compounded by a broader regional trend towards military interventions and noted that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces difficulties in addressing these challenges.
