Flagbearer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has called for end to the “militarisation” of Ghana’s electoral process.

Addressing a gathering at the 2024 Peace Campaign organised by the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Christian Council, and the Office of the National Chief Imam in Accra, Mr. Mahama condemned the deployment of armed security personnel at polling and coalition centers, warning that this practice risks eroding the nation’s hard-won peace.

“The militarisation of our elections is a recipe for chaos and needs to be stopped to maintain sanity in the country’s electoral process,” Mr. Mahama declared, pledging his commitment to peaceful elections.

The former president also revealed that his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), would propose an expansion of the Peace Pact’s signatories at the National Peace Council, broadening it to include additional stakeholders to ensure a binding commitment to peace across key institutions.

“It is our hope that this will make the pact a more binding commitment to peace and not just a ceremonial piece of paper without any meaning,” Mr. Mahama explained.

Highlighting the role of Ghana’s institutions in maintaining electoral integrity, the NDC urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to uphold impartiality and called on the Judiciary to ensure fairness in the event of election disputes.

“Justice is a necessary imperative for peace,” he stated, warning that ignoring injustices could lead to unintended conflict.

He continued that: “A stitch in time saves nine. Many conflicts worldwide began when people ignored injustices until the oppressed felt forced to respond,” he added. Despite these concerns, Mahama reaffirmed his peaceful stance, saying, “While I am and will remain a man of peace, I urge everyone to stay vigilant and to stand for justice.”

The NDC flagbearer assured the crowd of his personal commitment to peace, pledging that he and the NDC would prioritize Ghana’s stability.

“We have a strong stake in maintaining the peace of Ghana and would work for a peaceful Ghana that fosters progress and happiness for every citizen.”

The NDC flagbearer also made a solemn vow committing to peace during the upcoming polls.

 “I, John Dramani Mahama, stand here today before you and before the Almighty God to reaffirm my commitment and that of the National Democratic Congress to uphold peace before, during, and after the upcoming elections on December 7, 2024,” Mr. Mahama added.