During an engagement at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on July 4, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, expressed the Ghana Police Service’s preparedness to handle security throughout the December 7 general elections.
Speaking to an eminent group formed by the Christian Council of Ghana, Dr. Dampare reassured the public of a peaceful electoral process, emphasizing the police’s collaborative efforts with other security agencies under the National Election Security Task Force, Citi News Room reports.
Dr. Dampare highlighted the proactive measures taken by the police to ensure election security. He noted that treating local elections with the same importance as national elections has been a crucial strategy in maintaining peace.
He stated, “We have been ready for years because we have institutionalized and mainstreamed election security for the first time in the history of this country.”
This approach, according to Dr. Dampare, ensures that elections are viewed as part of an ongoing cycle rather than isolated events.
The IGP also pointed to the successful management of recent elections, including internal party elections, as evidence of the police’s readiness.
He remarked, “All the elections for the past almost three years, including internal elections of the parties, the selection of parliamentary candidates, and presidential candidates, have been historically secure.”
This success is attributed to the combined efforts of the security forces and the patriotic citizens committed to maintaining national peace.
Emphasizing professionalism and conflict de-escalation, Dr. Dampare assured that the police would handle any election-related disputes with a mindset geared towards unity.
He stressed the importance of justified actions by the police to maintain peace and security, saying, “For the 2024 elections, we are ensuring a clear de-escalation mindset amid confusion and agitations. We need to be professional and ensure that we settle issues among the conflicting parties in a way that unites them.”
