John Mahama Urges IGP to Investigate Election-Related Deaths in 2020 and 2024
President John Dramani Mahama has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, to launch immediate investigations into the deaths of eight Ghanaians during the 2020 and 2024 general elections.
In a statement released on January 10, 2025, through his Executive Secretary Calistus Mahama, the President emphasized the need for justice to uphold accountability and preserve Ghana’s democratic integrity.
“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 it is imperative that justice is served for the victims and their families,” the statement read.
Call for Investigative Taskforce
President Mahama proposed the creation of a special task force within the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) to prioritize and efficiently manage the cases.
The task force, he noted, should focus on uncovering the circumstances that led to the deaths and holding perpetrators accountable.
He outlined specific steps to ensure a comprehensive and transparent investigation:
- Establishment of a Dedicated Investigative Taskforce: A specialized team within the CID to handle these cases exclusively.
- Collaboration with Witnesses and Families: Engagement with eyewitnesses, victims’ families, and other stakeholders to gather relevant testimonies and evidence.
- Review of Electoral Security Arrangements: Examination of the actions or potential lapses by security personnel deployed to the affected polling stations.
- Use of Forensic Evidence: Advanced forensic techniques are used to analyze physical evidence, such as bullet casings and weaponry, from crime scenes.
Appeal for Accountability
President Mahama stressed the need to scrutinize the roles played by security agencies during the elections, particularly in the affected polling stations.
He underscored that such investigations are essential for building public confidence in the electoral process and reinforcing the nation’s democratic values.
