15 killed, 40 injured in Ghana’s last two elections – Interior Minister

Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has revealed that 15 people were killed and 40 others injured during the 2020 and 2024 election periods, calling the trend “deeply concerning.”

Presenting data on electoral violence during a press conference on Tuesday, November 4, Mr. Muntaka warned that Ghana’s democratic gains risk erosion if political actors and citizens fail to act.

“The loss of lives and the injuries sustained are a dark stain on Ghana’s electoral process,” he said.

According to the minister, the 2020 elections recorded eight deaths and 34 injuries across six constituencies, including Techiman South, Odododiodio, Ablekuma Central, Banda, Dormaa West, and Savelugu. Urban areas, he noted, suffered the most casualties.

Despite heightened security in the 2024 elections, seven deaths and six injuries were reported across Awutu Senya, Tolon, Damango, Nkoranza South, Offinso North, and Ahafo Ano South-West constituencies.

“The circumstances of each case vary, but nearly all involve the use of firearms during confrontations between party supporters,” Muntaka explained, adding that in some cases, security personnel resorted to live ammunition or warning shots.

The minister said the cumulative figures underscore persistent election security lapses and a growing culture of political aggression. In response, the Interior Ministry has begun working with the Ghana Police Service to strengthen rapid response teams, intensify community engagement, and fast-track investigations.

Mr. Muntaka announced the creation of a multi-stakeholder task force to recommend electoral security reforms. “No election is worth a single Ghanaian life,” he declared. “We call on political parties, civil society, and the media to join hands in promoting peace before, during, and after elections.”

He also urged the Electoral Commission and civic institutions to enhance voter education and establish early warning systems to prevent tensions from escalating at polling stations.

Citing figures from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Mr. Muntaka noted that Ghana recorded only three election-related deaths in 2016, a figure that has quintupled in recent years.

He assured that the Interior Ministry will work closely with all stakeholders to restore confidence in Ghana’s democratic process and prevent further loss of life.