The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called on the government to probe unresolved cases of electoral violence recorded during the 2020 and 2024 general elections.

Addressing the media during an inter-party dialogue organised by the National Peace Council on August 11, 2026, Programmes Manager for Security Sector Governance at CDD-Ghana, Paul Kwabena Aborampah Mensah, said families affected by electoral violence continue to live with the pain and trauma of losing their loved ones.

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He said investigating the unresolved cases would not only help establish the facts surrounding the incidents but also give affected families an opportunity to tell their stories and find closure.

“As Ghana had national reconciliation post-military regime era, people were not compensated but having opportunity to tell their story, they were satisfied. So, we believe conducting these investigations and bringing the perpetrators to book, even if we don’t extract any compensation for the family, they will be okay telling their stories,”Aborampah said.

He further argued that the same approach could help address the lingering effects of electoral violence, stressing that accountability should remain a priority even where financial compensation may not be possible.

“So, we believe doing these investigations, bringing the perpetrators to book, or even if we don't extract any compensation for their families, it's okay for telling their stories,” he said.

Aborampah noted that CDD-Ghana had engaged some families affected by electoral violence and witnessed the devastating consequences of the incidents.

“We visited some of the respective parties in Techiman, and then you saw the devastating nature. Some of them were breadwinners in their families, like the Techiman driver who was shot,” he said.

He also referred to a victim who had his leg amputated as a result of electoral violence.

According to Aborampah, the victim had a pregnant wife and was responsible for supporting his family before the incident.

He said the impact of such incidents extends beyond the immediate victims, with families continuing to suffer long after elections have ended.

“This is why it's important that Ghana looks into the issues and find lessons, because any time they mention an election, something bad comes to their mind,” he said.

Aborampah therefore urged investigative bodies to revisit unresolved electoral violence cases and take steps to ensure accountability.

“We believe that investigations and sealing the challenges becomes paramount for investigative bodies to do so,” he said.

He said Ghana must use the lessons from past electoral violence to develop lasting solutions and prevent similar incidents from recurring.

“We need to do our best to make sure that we find lasting solutions to the treatment of said crimes and ensure that we don't revisit any of such bad memories in the very next century or so,” he added.

JKB/VPO

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