Despite Ghana’s reputation as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, its electoral processes remain plagued by a recurring and troubling pattern—violence. Since the return to constitutional rule in 1992, nearly every election cycle has witnessed pockets of intimidation, chaos, and, in some cases, fatal confrontations.

What began as isolated incidents has now evolved into a retaliatory political culture that threatens to undermine decades of democratic progress.

Several constituencies have become synonymous with violence during elections and by-elections. Among the most notable is the Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region, where the 2008 general elections were disrupted by ballot box snatching and widespread vandalism. The violence forced the annulment of results in six polling stations and necessitated a rerun under heavy security.

In the Bono East Region, the Techiman South constituency recorded one of the deadliest electoral incidents in 2020, with at least two people shot dead during post-election disturbances. The disputed outcome sparked nationwide outrage and demands for investigations.

Talensi Constituency in the Upper East Region also witnessed violence during a 2015 by-election, with reports of intimidation and clashes between party supporters. These flashpoints underscore a troubling pattern that continues to manifest in new forms.

The Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019 marked a chilling turning point in Ghana’s electoral history. What began as a routine by-election quickly descended into chaos when masked national security operatives stormed polling stations and assaulted unarmed civilians. The violence led to the withdrawal of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) from the contest.

An Emile Short Commission of Inquiry was swiftly established to investigate the violence. The Commission heard testimonies from over 20 key witnesses, including MP Sam George and the NDC candidate, Delali Kwasi Brempong. The Commission recommended compensation for victims and reforms in the deployment of security forces during elections. However, many of its recommendations were dismissed by the government in a controversial White Paper, deepening public scepticism about the commitment to electoral accountability.

In yet another troubling incident, former Minister and Awutu Senya East MP, Mavis Hawa Koomson, admitted on live television that she fired a gunshot at a voter registration centre on July 20, 2020, claiming self-defence. The scene at the Step to Christ polling centre in Kasoa descended into panic, with gunfire, burning motorbikes, and frightened residents fleeing for safety.

While she justified her actions by alleging the presence of “outsiders” being bused into the constituency, eyewitness accounts contradicted her narrative, accusing her aides of firing multiple rounds and intimidating registrants. Shockingly, she faced no criminal charges, another example, critics argue, of impunity within the political elite.

The Ablekuma North Constituency went nearly seven months without a Member of Parliament following the 2024 general election, after the collation process was disrupted by a violent invasion by thugs. Repeated attempts by the Electoral Commission (EC) to compile the results were unsuccessful, largely due to the destruction of essential documents, including pink sheets, during the chaos at the collation centre. Amid persistent irregularities and security concerns, the EC ultimately scheduled a rerun of the parliamentary election for Friday, July 11, 2025.

The Ablekuma North constituency became the latest stage for electoral brutality during its 2024 parliamentary rerun. At St. Peter’s Methodist Polling Station, three journalists were assaulted, and NPP parliamentary candidate Akua Afriyie and Hawa Koomson herself were reportedly attacked, alongside other party members.

While the exact origins of the violence remain contested, the incident provoked polarising responses. Dr. Hanna Bissiw, National Women’s Organiser of the NDC and the Administrator for the Minerals Development Fund, justified the assault on Hawa Koomson, saying:

“Violence begets violence. If you live by the sword, you’ll die by the sword.”

She recounted a personal experience where Hawa Koomson’s thugs allegedly attacked her during the Ayawaso West Wuogon elections.

“I was beaten because she led thugs to come and beat me up. Has she forgotten?”

Although Bissiw later distanced the NDC from the incident, she suggested it could have been an internal NPP feud. Her remarks highlighted the growing public perception that retaliatory violence is becoming normalised in Ghanaian politics.

The situation escalates further after Dennis Amfo Sefa, NPP parliamentary candidate for Tema West, described the Ablekuma North chaos as a dangerous precedent set by the NDC. In an interview with Citi News, he said:

“We are telling our boys and men: get ready, arm yourselves, and prepare for Akwatia. We will meet there and repeat the same thing that they [the NDC] have done in Ablekuma North.”

His comments were in reference to the pending Akwatia by-election, following the recent death of the sitting MP, Ernest Kumi. Such rhetoric fuels concerns that violence is no longer just a byproduct of elections but is being actively planned as a political strategy.

Ghana’s political environment appears to be edging toward a cycle of vengeance. What used to be scattered acts of aggression have evolved into tit-for-tat episodes, with each party justifying their actions by citing past victimisation. Political leaders, rather than condemning violence unequivocally, are often seen rationalising or downplaying its impact.

The consequences go beyond bruises and broken ballot boxes. The erosion of trust in democratic institutions, the intimidation of journalists, and the threat of armed political vigilantes all paint a troubling picture of Ghana’s electoral future.

As the country prepares for more elections, including the Akwatia by-election, the question remains: Can Ghana break this unending cycle of electoral violence? Or will political actors continue to exploit tensions, deepen divisions, and normalise brutality in the name of democracy?

If retaliation replaces resolution, and violence becomes strategy, then the democratic ideals Ghana is celebrated for may continue to erode, one polling station at a time.