Oppong Nkrumah demands public inquiry into post-election violence at collation centres

Ofoase Ayirebi MP, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called for a public inquiry into the breakdown of law and order at several collation centres during the 2024 general elections.

His appeal follows reports of violence, disruptions and allegations of electoral malpractice in parts of the country.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, the former Minister for Works and Housing emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to understand the root causes of the disturbances.

He stressed that such an inquiry would be crucial in preventing similar incidents in future elections, particularly as Ghana looks ahead to the 2028 polls.

Oppong Nkrumah insisted that those responsible for inciting violence or undermining the electoral process must be held accountable.

He argued that a public inquiry would not only clarify what transpired but also serve as a deterrent to future misconduct.

“Mr. Speaker, in addition to the leaders’ call to send a resolution to the executive branch, my prayer is that this resolution includes a request for a proper public inquiry into the conditions under which law and order broke down at numerous collation centres,” he stated.

He further highlighted the need to enhance security measures to protect public institutions, election officials, and officers on duty during electoral processes.

While the 2024 elections were largely peaceful, some constituencies witnessed pockets of violence. Disputes over election results escalated into physical confrontations, vandalism, and in some cases, attacks on electoral officials and security personnel.

Political parties and candidates in affected areas alleged irregularities in the collation of votes, intensifying tensions.

Observers from civil society groups and international monitoring bodies also raised concerns, urging authorities to strengthen measures that safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process.

With growing calls for accountability, the demand for a public inquiry could set the stage for critical reforms ahead of the next electoral cycle.