FOSDA bemoans involvement of Ghanaian youth in electoral gun violence

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) is raising concerns about the high rate at which young people in the country are involved in gun violence during elections.

According to FOSDA, gun violence has steadily increased between the first and third quarters of 2024 as Ghana inches toward the 2024 elections. FOSDA’s national violence incidence monitoring reported ten (10), eighteen (18), and nineteen (19) incidents of gun violence in the first three quarters of the year, respectively.

FOSDA also feels that coupled with other incidents of electoral gun violence, especially during political party activities and other related arms incidents, sends a worrying signal for the upcoming December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The Civil Society Organization (CSO) believes that there is growing evidence that politicians and their followers are carrying firearms, further exacerbating the risk of violence.

To sensitize the youth ahead of Election 2024, FOSDA in collaboration with ECOWAS organized a One-Day National Ballot, not Bullets Dialogue for Ghana 2024 Non-Violence Election Campaign for the youth across all the 16 regions.

The event under the theme “Youth and Election Gun Violence in Ghana: A Worrying Concern” was held at Mensvic Hotel-East Legon in Accra with Rtd Col. Festus Aboagye as the chairman.

There were a number of presentations, Ms. Beatrice Baiden spoke on Youth Empowerment and Community-Based Strategies to Prevent Gun Violence, and Dr. John Pokoo Electoral Gun Violence in Ghana: The Reality, impact, and Solutions for 2024 General Election.

In her address, the Executive Director for FOSDA, Theodora Williams Anti, stated that the nation had to get a grip on the disturbing menace.