Ghana is internationally recognized as one of the most peaceful countries in Africa and globally. However, the recent clash during the Ablekuma North by-election on 19 polling stations necessitates a revisit of the true essence of democratic elections.
As a people, we seem to be forgetting the fundamental principles of democracy, which include representation, accountability, choice, participation, legitimacy, and protection of rights. Some citizens’ claims that the Ablekuma North incident was “karma” or “payback time” are misguided, as the real issue is our stability as a state and the legacy we leave for future generations.
We are inadvertently teaching areas prone to violence to escalate tensions and respond aggressively to similar events in the future. Furthermore, our security officers’ fear for their safety, evident in videos showing them failing to intervene as thugs assault citizens, is alarming.
It’s imperative that we take collective action to prevent our peace and stability from being compromised by politics and power struggles, considering the future implications of our actions. We must prioritize Ghana’s well-being over personal ambitions and remember that there’s no place like home.
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