Donyina Mensah urges Ghanaians to learn from peaceful US Elections

Michael Donyinah Mensah, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Awareness and Opinion (CenPOA), has urged all stakeholders in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7 to work together to prevent bloodshed.

He claimed that Ghana is too small a country to hold an election that could result in the deaths of its citizens.

Speaking on the United States elections, he stated that the United States, which has over 300 million people, has held elections without any casualties or violent incidents.

"Recounting the 2020 elections and the murders of eight people, he termed the scenario as intolerable, emphasising the importance of everyone working together to prevent it from happening again.

In a media interview, Michael Donyina Mensah stated that the next elections should be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of violence.

”I will advise Ghana to follow the example of the United States. The population here is nearly 360 million, which is more than ten times Ghana’s population, and we have yet to hold an election in which a sheep, goat, or any other animal has been reported dead, let alone humans. So it is troubling that eight people were killed during the 2020 elections. It’s not unacceptable,” he said.

He also advised voters to approach the elections with the goal of electing people who can manage the country effectively.

He stated that they should evaluate their living conditions and future prospects before electing the next leader.

”Whatever happens, we will have a leader who will complete their term in office. The most important thing is that we are hoping and praying that God will give us a competent and capable leader. After voting, you can go home and return to the polling station to see the results counted and declared. Do not engage in violence. You should not trade your life for an election.”

He asked the Electoral Commission to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election and to avoid engaging in activities that would increase mistrust.

"The Election Commission should ensure that elections are free, fair, and transparent. It should protect its reputation and avoid actions that will instill distrust. I recall that during the 2020 elections, the EC made several mistakes and announced different results. We do not want a repeat of this in the 2024 election.

“The 2024 election is a volatile one, and any mistake could jeopardise our peace and stability,” he said.