2024 Election: The deaths and violence recorded

The just-ended December 7, 2024, general elections of Ghana was marred by pockets of violence across the country, just as the December 7, 2020, election.

There were a number of shooting incidents which led to at least four deaths and several others sustaining injuries during the electoral process, particularly during the collation of results for the election.

The US government, while commending President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to investigate the killings recorded during the election.

Here are the areas where violence was recorded during the 2024 polls, including those that led to deaths:

Awutu Senya:

Three individuals were shot at Kasoa in the Awutu Senya East Constituency, leaving one dead and two in critical condition.

The victims are reported to be supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to Nash Nyandey Adams, the Constituency Youth Organiser of the NDC, the incident occurred while they were returning from a polling station at Iron City.

He told reporters that they were attacked, with shots fired indiscriminately from behind by individuals in a black Land Cruiser vehicle.

The injured, including the deceased, were transported to the hospital.

The police have arrested four individuals for possession of an AK-47 assault rifle.



Nyankpala:

One person was shot dead in a shooting incident at Nyankpala in the Tolon Constituency of the Northern Region.

GhanaWeb's sources indicated that the shooting was triggered by allegations of vote buying.

According to eyewitnesses, the violent confrontation erupted following a heated argument between NPP Northern Regional Organiser, Alhaji Rashid Salifu, and the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Dr Osman Tahiru Damba.

Eyewitnesses say the NDC candidate confronted the NPP organiser for allegedly sharing money among voters.

This confrontation turned violent, leading to the gunshots that claimed the life.

NDC Tolon Constituency Communications Officer, Abubakari Fuseini Oluu, confirmed that the NDC had lost one of its supporters in the incident while another was critically injured.

"We lost one person and another one is critically injured," he told Tamale-based Radio Tamale in an interview monitored by GhanaWeb.



Damongo:

Violence reportedly broke out at the Damongo Constituency Collation Centre after unidentified thugs stormed the premises, demanding the immediate declaration of results.

The thugs, unhappy about the delay, set fire to the EC's office.

Security personnel, in an attempt to control the situation, fired warning shots, resulting in the death of one person as the bullet pierced his ribs.

Two other individuals are currently receiving treatment at St. Anne's Hospital at Damongo.

The fire destroyed electoral materials, forcing collation to end abruptly.

As a result of the situation, tension were high in the township over this unfortunate development.

Obuasi:

Some military personnel clashed with a civilian at Obuasi East in the Ashanti Region on December 7, 2024, during the elections.

In the video, the military personnel asked the people around to stop filming them with their phones during the engagement and allow them entry to the polling centre; however, the civilians ignored the threats.

This infuriated the military personnel, who attacked one of the individuals in a heated fight, which led to some concerned residents separating those involved in the scuffle.

The civilian was heard telling the military personnel, “Get away, if you try you will see. Where are you going?”

One of the two military men also responded, saying, “Stop taking the video, allow me to go and don’t touch me.”

After the individual refused to grant them access, the military personnel then resorted to fighting to push their way through.

The man captured in the video has been identified as the Obuasi East NDC Youth Organiser, giving reason that the military men were not authorised to be there.



Tepa:

There were also chaotic scenes at Tepa in the Ashanti Region on December 9, 2024, as gunshots rang out, leaving multiple people injured and rushed to the hospital.

According to a report by OTEC, the violence was orchestrated by thugs suspected to be sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), dissatisfied with the parliamentary election results in the area.

“The office of the Electoral Commission was set ablaze during the chaos,” the victim is quoted to have said.

Another added, “The thugs took over the community with guns for several hours, forcing residents to hide in their rooms.”

Nsawam:

The National Democratic Congress has accused the incumbent Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, of shooting a supporter of the party.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, December 9, 2024, the National Communication Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, alleged that Annoh-Dompreh shot a supporter of the party in the leg.

He hinted that the NDC would initiate criminal charges against Annoh-Dompreh, who is the chief whip for the NPP caucus in Parliament.

“As for Annoh-Dompreh, who shot one of our supporters in the thigh, he shouldn't worry, January 7 isn't far. The day of accountability is coming. Don't take the laws into your own hands. We waited for eight years to come, so don't do the things the NPP did, for which reason Ghanaians have rejected them. Let's reflect the persona and character of our leader, John Mahama,” he said.

Ledzokuku:

Military personnel reportedly stormed the collation centre for the Ledzokuku Constituency at Teshie, which escalated the violent scenes at the centre.

The military men, according to a report by adomonline.com, were allegedly escorting ballot boxes from polling places in places like Agblizaa and Tsuibleo. When the military officials arrived, they shot warning bullets into the air, which made the crowd panic.

According to witnesses, military officers with firearms got out of their cars and shot into the air to make room for the convoy.

Since the police typically handle such responsibilities, the audience, who were upset by the unexpected military presence, expressed frustration and anxiety about the situation.

Because the police, not the military, are typically in charge of escorting ballot boxes, the episode has raised worries among bystanders. In the face of increased tension and public uneasiness, security forces are currently attempting to bring the region back to peace.



Ablekuma West:

There were also violent scenes at the collation centre for the Ablekuma West Constituency as police officers battled with some voters who attempted to force their way into the centre.

Videos available to GhanaWeb showed a massive crowd forcing their way into the centre as the police try to block their access to ensure the safety of the electoral officers and the voting materials.

According to GhanaWeb’s reporter, the police had to use pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the agitated crowd.



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