The Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, has emphasized the need for stakeholders in the upcoming December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections to commit to maintaining peace and stability during the electoral process.

He recounted how past instances of violence had nearly torn the nation apart and called on political parties and others to commit to peace.

The minister warned of a looming threat of electoral violence as the country prepares for the 2024 general elections.

He raised these concerns while addressing a gathering at the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference held under the theme ‘SPI National Forum on Social Cohesion, Security, and Peaceful Elections’ in Accra.

“Internally and coming home to Ghana, we continue to be confronted with the threat of electoral violence which has in the past threatened to destroy our country,” he said.

According to him, we don’t have to underestimate the threats, stressing that it could compromise the integrity of our democracy, even though Ghana has traditionally been proud of its peaceful transfers of power between the two main political parties.

“Yes, we have succeeded as a country in ensuring a transition of power from one political party to another on modernisation,” he said.

“The 2024 general elections will certainly test the strength of our democracy. Given the high stakes involved, where the two major political parties appear convinced about their prospects of emerging victorious. That obviously creates a security challenge for me where I sit.”