Your claim that Akufo-Addo hasn’t condemned Election 2020 deaths false – Eugene Arhin to Mahama

Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the seat of the presidency, has strongly refuted claims made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, accusing President Akufo-Addo of not condemning the election-related deaths that occurred during the December 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.

In a Facebook post responding to Mahama’s allegations on January 7, 2024, Mr Arhin quoted and shared a video clip from President Akufo-Addo’s victory speech on December 9, 2020, delivered at his residence in Nima, Accra. In the video, President Akufo-Addo condemned the incidents that led to the deaths of eight individuals during the general election.

“I condemn in no uncertain terms the isolated incidents of post-electoral violence in Odododiodioo and Techiman that led to a few regrettable deaths. May their souls rest in peace. We must work to avoid the repetition of such events in the future,” President Akufo-Addo stated in the video.

Mr Arhin emphasized that Mahama’s claim that President Akufo-Addo “has not uttered even a word of sympathy to the bereaved families” is false, citing the President’s explicit condemnation in the victory speech.

He urged Mahama to acknowledge the facts and extend congratulations to President Akufo-Addo for his victory in the 2020 elections.

Mahama had made these allegations in a statement issued on January 7, 2024, during the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Fourth Republican Constitution of Ghana.

In his statement, Mahama criticized the government for actions undermining democratic rights and highlighted the loss of eight lives during the 2020 elections, claiming that President Akufo-Addo had not expressed sympathy to the bereaved families.