President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, to immediately begin investigations into the deaths of eight Ghanaians during the 2020 and 2024 general elections.
In a statement issued on January 10, Dr. Calistus Mahama, the President’s Executive Secretary, emphasised the need for justice to ensure accountability in these tragic incidents.
“I have been instructed by H.E. John Mahama to formally request your office to initiate immediate investigations into the tragic deaths of Ghanaian citizens during the 2020/24 general elections.
These incidents, which occurred in various parts of the country, have left a lasting scar on our democratic process, and justice must be served for the victims and their families,” the statement read.
President Mahama has also called on the IGP to form a dedicated investigative task force within the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) to focus solely on these killings.
The president further requested the IGP to investigate the actions of security personnel deployed at the affected polling stations to determine their level of involvement or negligence.
To ensure thorough and transparent investigations, the following steps have been proposed:
- Establishment of a Dedicated Investigative Taskforce: A special taskforce within the CID should be formed to give full attention to these cases.
- Collaboration with Witnesses and Families: Conduct interviews with eyewitnesses, victims’ families, and others who may have valuable information.
- Review of Electoral Security Arrangements: Investigate the role of security personnel deployed at the affected polling stations.
- Use of Forensic Evidence: Employ forensic techniques to analyse physical evidence from crime scenes, such as bullet casings and weaponry.
Read the statement below:
