The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims of electoral violence, following the release of a special investigative report on incidents recorded during Ghana’s 2020 and 2024 general elections.

The report, compiled by a special task force within the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), revealed that 12 separate incidents of election-related violence across the country resulted in 15 deaths and over 40 injuries.

According to the findings, the violent incidents stemmed from clashes between supporters of the two major political parties and the use of live ammunition by some security personnel in efforts to disperse crowds.

Of the total cases recorded, three incidents resulting in four deaths were linked to police patrol teams, three incidents leading to three deaths involved military intervention, and four cases resulting in five deaths were attributed to the use of firearms by political party supporters.

Through forensic investigations, witness interviews, and scene analyses, 21 suspects were identified.

Some have already been arrested, while others remain at large, with warrants issued for their arrest.

The Attorney-General’s Office is currently prosecuting three individuals in connection with the violence.

The report also cited procedural breaches, disciplinary lapses, and negligence by some officers, describing the firing of live ammunition into crowds as “unprofessional and avoidable.”

“The victims have not only suffered physical injuries but have also lost income, while some families have lost their breadwinners.

The government is determined to ensure justice and accountability.”

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the full implementation of the report’s recommendations, with the Attorney -General’s Office tasked to oversee compensation for victims and affected families.

Payment of compensation to families of deceased and injured victims, supervised by the Attorney-General’s Office.

Regular police orientation programmes to discourage the use of lethal force in crowd control.

Procurement of non-lethal crowd control equipment for security agencies.

Capacity-building for election security management, focusing on improved police–military coordination.

Education campaigns for political parties on the Anti-Vigilante Act and responsible conduct during elections.

The task force further recommended that military personnel should not be deployed for crowd control during elections, urging improved planning and communication among security agencies to prevent similar incidents in future polls.

One of the report’s cited cases involved the deployment of armed soldiers that led to the death of a voter and injuries to four others — an incident described as “avoidable” due to poor inter-agency coordination.

The Interior Minister assured the public that the government would ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence of electoral violence.

“The state will not relent in seeking justice for the victims.

We are putting in place systems to ensure that future elections are free, fair, and devoid of violence.”

The report has been submitted to the Attorney-General and the CID for further action, including the prosecution of suspects and payment of compensation to affected individuals.