Ghana’s Defense Minister Distances Government from Election Security Failures
Ghana’s Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, has clarified that the government is not directly responsible for security-related incidents during the 2024 general elections. Instead, he emphasized that the National Elections Security Task Force, led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, bears full responsibility for election security management.
During a Parliamentary session on Monday, December 16, Nitiwul addressed concerns from the Minority, particularly over the reported deaths of two individuals during the election period. He insisted that government ministers and appointees were not involved in the day-to-day security oversight during the elections.
Key Points from His Statement:
- Task Force Accountability:
Nitiwul reiterated that the National Elections Security Task Force, under the leadership of the IGP, was in charge of ensuring security throughout the electoral process. Therefore, any questions or investigations related to election security failures should be directed at the Task Force. - Separation of Powers:
The Minister stressed the importance of keeping the Executive separate from election security matters to ensure neutrality and avoid any conflict of interest.- “The Executive should not control security during elections because, as the saying goes, you cannot be a judge in your own court,” Nitiwul asserted.
- Parliament’s Role:
Nitiwul encouraged Parliament to summon the IGP and his security team if they required an official briefing on election-related security lapses.
The Minority raised alarms following violent incidents during the election, including the loss of two lives, calling for accountability over the handling of security during the polls. These incidents reignited concerns about electoral violence and the protection of voters’ safety during Ghana’s democratic processes.
By directing inquiries to the IGP and distancing the government from election security operations, Nitiwul reinforced the principle that electoral security management should remain under the purview of independent security institutions, not the Executive branch.
Broader Implications:
This stance highlights ongoing efforts to uphold impartiality in Ghana’s electoral processes while addressing concerns over political interference in security matters. The call for accountability from the National Elections Security Task Force may prompt further investigations or parliamentary inquiries into the incidents reported during the elections.
