In the wake of a fatal shooting during the voting process in Nyankpala, security analyst Adib Saani has cautioned stakeholders about the potential of escalating violence, citing the risk of retaliation.
“There are threats of reprisals,” Mr. Saani stated, emphasising the cyclical nature of electoral violence in Ghana.
Mr. Saani’s comments follow reports of two separate shooting incidents in the Northern Region, one of which resulted in a fatality.
According to Mr. Saani, the first shooting had no casualties, but the second incident tragically claimed the life of a deaf and mute individual.
The security analyst raised alarms about the volatile situation, especially in light of the rising tensions in nearby areas such as Yendi.
“Yendi is on the brink. Both NDC and NPP candidates, including independent candidates, have set up base at the Suahiriya Arabic and English school polling station at Nayilifong. Their supporters are massing up and could likely flame up,” Mr. Saani warned. “Tolon is likely to erupt again during collation.”
Meanwhile, he says he was not surprised by the developments in Nyankpala, pointing to the widespread availability of arms throughout the country.
“There is a massive proliferation of small arms and large weapons in Ghana; the country is so armed, so I’m not surprised that a lot of these arms have found their way into the hands of political actors,” he said. “This is something I have been warning about over the years.”
Mr. Saani’s analysis also highlighted the long-standing political volatility in the region, particularly in Nyankpala.
“We have also done a lot in the area; Nyankpala has always been a hotspot. I’ve indicated it a number of times; as a close watcher, I’m not surprised that this has happened,” he said. “But the implications are dire because there’s always a possibility of a reprisal attack. So if you attack my own, I will also attack yours head-on. Violence never stops.”
As the electoral process continues, Mr. Saani has urged both political parties and citizens to be mindful of the risks and avoid further escalation.
His warning underscores the broader issue of political violence in Ghana as he calls for more robust measures to prevent such incidents from spiralling out of control.
With tensions running high, many in Nyankpala and surrounding areas remain on edge, fearing more violence as the election results near. Security forces have been deployed to maintain order, but the spectre of reprisal attacks looms large over the region.