The National Elections Security Taskforce (NESTF), chaired by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has engaged the leadership of political parties in a high-level meeting to finalize security arrangements for the upcoming December General Elections.
Held at the Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, November 21, 2024, the meeting provided an opportunity for the Taskforce to brief political leaders on comprehensive measures designed to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process.
Speaking at the meeting, the IGP reaffirmed the Taskforce’s dedication to professionalism, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law.
“We assure you of our dedication to creating a secure environment for the elections. Our actions will be impartial and guided by the law, and anyone who violates these laws will be made to face the law,” he stated.
The session also allowed political leaders to raise their security concerns after months of nationwide campaigns. The IGP acknowledged the trust placed in the Ghana Police Service by political parties, citing their reliance on the Service during internal elections and by-elections, which were largely incident-free.
Commending the political parties for conducting peaceful campaigns, the IGP emphasized the need to maintain this trend as the elections draw closer. He assured the leaders that robust security measures are in place to prevent disruptions on election day.
He also reminded political stakeholders of the electoral realities, highlighting that out of the 12 presidential aspirants and 801 parliamentary candidates, only one presidential candidate and 276 parliamentary hopefuls would emerge victorious.
“We urge you to prepare for both victory and defeat. Ultimately, the power lies with the Ghanaian people. The true winner of this election is Ghana, and when Ghana wins, Africa and the black race win,” the IGP said.
A representative from the Electoral Commission (EC) addressed additional concerns raised by the political parties regarding the electoral processes.
Dr. Akuffo Dampare concluded the meeting with a call for patriotism and responsibility from all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and the Electoral Commission, urging them to operate within the confines of the law for a peaceful and successful election.
The National Elections Security Taskforce, comprising the Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the Ghana Armed Forces, reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and professionalism. The Taskforce also urged political parties to promote peace, unity, and love as the country heads to the polls.