The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has strongly condemned the recent acts of hooliganism, vandalism, and assaults on state officials and properties following the December 7, 2024 general elections.

These incidents have been reported across the country since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took over from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on January 7, 2025.

CDD-Ghana in a release on January 14 expressed concern over the recurring pattern of post-election violence, which has become a troubling feature of Ghana’s political culture. The Center emphasised that such behaviour, if left unchecked, could undermine the nation’s efforts to mitigate winner-take-all politics and threaten the peace and stability of the Republic.

In response to these incidents, CDD-Ghana has called on law enforcement authorities to apply the laws of Ghana firmly to curb this growing tendency.

The Center also urged the newly installed government of President John Dramani Mahama to send a clear message that post-election violence will no longer be tolerated.

The government must ensure that the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies are not hindered in their efforts to deal lawfully with those involved in recent or ongoing acts of hooliganism and vandalism.

CDD-Ghana highlighted the success of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act (2019) in addressing party-aligned political vigilantes and proposed that similar enhanced criminal penalties be applied to post-election partisan hooliganism. The Center also recommended that future Transition Teams prioritize addressing and containing post-election violence as a critical component of the transition process.

The Center commended the orderly conduct of the December 7, 2024 general elections, noting the steady progress Ghana has made in its democratization journey since 1992. CDD-Ghana called for continued efforts to ensure that elections and their aftermath are free of violence and harm to life, limb, and property.