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Ghanaian police arrested more than 100 individuals Wednesday, December 11, as post-election tensions spiraled into violence and unrest in several parts of the country. Among those detained were predominantly supporters of President-elect John Mahama, accused of vandalism, looting, and attacks on state institutions.
The unrest followed the contentious December 7 general elections, where Mahama emerged victorious with a landslide 56.6% of the vote against Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia’s 41.6%. This marked the widest electoral margin in Ghana in 24 years. Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) also secured a commanding parliamentary majority, winning 186 seats to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 76, with four seats going to independents and 10 results yet to be announced.
While Ghana has been lauded internationally for its democratic processes, the transition periods following elections have often been marred by violence. In the aftermath of Mahama’s win, disgruntled supporters, demanding jobs and influence in the new administration, reportedly attacked public offices, torched two electoral commission facilities, and clashed with security forces. These disturbances left several police and military personnel injured.
The chaos stems from Ghana’s winner-takes-all political culture, where victory often translates into full control over state institutions, jobs, and contracts. Historically, supporters of victorious parties have taken over state offices, compelling the outgoing administration’s appointees to vacate positions even before the official swearing-in ceremony. Civil society groups have repeatedly criticized this practice, warning of its destabilizing impact on the country’s democracy.
Addressing the violence, Mahama called for calm and urged his followers to refrain from further disruptions. In a live broadcast on Tuesday night, he emphasized the responsibility of the outgoing government and security agencies to maintain order. “Because state power is still in the hands of the present administration, I call on the president and security agencies to act decisively to curb the ongoing acts of lawlessness immediately,” Mahama said.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Bawumia, who was the NPP’s defeated presidential candidate, appealed to Mahama to rein in his supporters and prevent further destruction. Ghana’s Catholic bishops also weighed in, condemning the violence as a betrayal of the nation’s values of peace, unity, and respect for life. In a statement, they urged political leaders to take accountability for their supporters’ actions and foster reconciliation.
The Ghana Armed Forces issued a stern warning to groups targeting military personnel deployed to assist police in maintaining order. Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quarshie stated, “Military personnel on authorized duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of lethal force if necessary to preserve life.” This followed reports of attempts to disarm soldiers in some regions.
The police, who arrested 106 suspects, including nine individuals linked to the burning of an electoral commission office in the Eastern Region, vowed to clamp down on all acts of lawlessness. In a statement, they cautioned that no violence would be tolerated, urging the public to respect the rule of law.
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