By Amos SAFO
In one of my articles published after the end of the 2024 elections, I raised the red flag over the rising specter of violence and vigilantism in the name of democracy. I expressed worry over the speed with which Ghana was sliding into violence after the election.
In some countries, while the cost of democracy is usually based on the investment made to improve the electoral system free and fair elections, in Ghana the cost of democracy is based on the number of lives lost and the unquantifiable number of public and private investments destroyed.
Usually, such destruction of lives and property was unleashed by aggrieved losers of an election, but when the supporters of a political party which won by such a huge margin resort to violence, rather than celebrating it raises more questions than answers.
More than two weeks after the second John Mahama’s administration assumed office, its supporters are still invading and destroying public and private property. Therefore, the notion that Ghana is peaceful and stable needs a critical reexamination.
Recent attacks
The more recent attacks include, the burning of the Ejura Police Station, the annexation of the Bui Power Project, the invasion of Anglo Gold Ashanti’s (AGA) concession at Obuasi and the attacks on the office of Ghana Gas Company in Accra. At the time of writing , there were reports that some National Democratic Congress (NDC) youth had invaded the offices of the Ghana Revenue Authority and demanded the resignation of the Commissioner General.
These public and private properties are among several across the country the youth of the ruling NDC have targeted for the simple reason that their political party has assumed power. It makes no sense for the youth to annex a hydropower project, which they lack the technical skills to operate.
This action reminds me of the era of “Cadres of the Revolution” who confiscated and run-down state-owned corporations. That era marked the beginning of the decline of economic growth because of the decline in manufacturing and industrialization. Thus, Ghana became a net importer of commodities that were produced locally.
Irresponsible statements
Out of the attacks on public and private property, the invasion of AGA mines at Obuasi has captured more national and international attention due to the number of lives lost. The number of casualties has not been ascertained because there has not been independent confirmation. While some sources estimated that eight people died when the military opened fire, other accounts in the media put the casualties at 10, 15, 22, and still counting.
Political promises
Before the 2024 elections, a group of youth from the Obuasi East Constituency brazenly threatened on social media to unleash violence if the NDC did not win the election. They threatened to kill anyone, including officials of the electoral commission who stood in the way of the NDC’s quest to wrestle political power.
The NDC’s parliamentary candidate of Obuasi East was reported to have promised to give part of AGA’s concession to the youth if elected. Thus, the promise emboldened the youth to put their lives on the line to ensure victory for both the parliamentary and presidential candidates of the NDC.
Once victory had been secured, it was obvious that the youth would demand what they had been promised, and if it meant using force to achieve their goal. In the video, Captain Smart stated, “I swear, if AGA is not careful, we will chase them out of the country.”
Megaphone of war
With hindsight, the attacks on the AGA concession went a step too far, which probably compelled the military to open fire on the youth. Sadly, the lives of young and energetic youth have been wasted because of the reckless comments of a notorious broadcaster who has access to a national frequency and spectrum to broadcast hate speech.
Ras Mubarak, the former NDC MP for the Kumbungu Constituency is reported as blaming the owners of Onua Radio and TV for giving their platforms to Captain Smart to incite violence. Similarly, the National Media Commission (NMC) in a statement said, “You have transformed your radio into a megaphone of war.” In the view of many Ghanaians, Onua Radio and TV could become the equivalent of Radio Rwanda, unless its owners uphold journalism standards and ethics.
Rejoinder
Coming under a barrage of public attacks, Captain Smart responded in another video that his reckless statement was published in June 2024 and that he did not expect the youth to react based on his past comments. However, the reality is that words convey the same effects no matter when they are pronounced. For this reason, many commentators argue that Captain Smart cannot absolve himself from blame, and should be held responsible for the mayhem at Obuasi.
The rise of vigilantism
It appears that vigilantism has resurrected after the elections, despite a law enacted by the Eighth Parliament to outlaw it. In Bole, President Mahama’s hometown, irate party supporters burnt lorry tires near the President’s house in protest against his failure to nominate the MP of Bole as a minister. As the violence unfolds across the country, it appears that we are in the era of a military takeover, rather than a democratic transition.
The President’s silence over the chaotic situation across the country is not only undermining his leadership, but it is also tarnishing the image of Ghana globally. The trend could undermine Ghana’s ability to attract foreign investments in the future. The John Mahama administration could be breeding a monster that will be difficult to control in the future.
Similarly, last week another section of NDC youth launched an unprovoked attack on Gas House in Accra, which houses the staff of the Ghana Gas Company. The attack on Gas House was apparently to demand their share of the profits of the company, because their political party has assumed power.
A video report by Joy News Command Centre which was broadcast on both television and social media captured some irate youth of NDC wielding sticks and truncheons and marching towards the state property.
The violent scenes unfolded in the full glare of police personnel, who were probably afraid to repulse the attacks because of fear of victimization. Personnel of the Ghana Police Service have been very pathetic during and after the elections. They watched their own offices and vehicles burnt but failed to instill law and order. If the police cannot protect their own offices and vehicles from being burnt, then our collective security is at risk.
Journalists promoting hatred
Now, there is so much hatred in Ghana, a menace which is being fueled by politicians and so-called journalists. If care is not taken, this cancer of hatred will destroy a country that was once seen as stable and a beacon of peace in West Africa.
It is so sad that the independent and objective journalism that was once the conscience of Ghana has been sacrificed on the altar of politics and money. No longer can journalism claim to be the watchdog over society and the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
Furthermore, the evolution of social media, which has opened the media space to everyone has led to increasing concerns over the decline in the quality of news. Now the quality of news is measured by the number of likes and shares, which has compelled traditional journalists, citizen journalists and bloggers to disregard the ethics and standards of journalism by being overly vulgar, abusive and disrespectful.
Consequently, fake news, disinformation and misinformation, promoting ethnic hatred and religious intolerance have become socially accepted norms of journalism. Increasingly, the line between journalism and politics is being blurred beyond redemption. Sadly, the worst offenders of unethical journalism are some of those who work with mainstream media like radio and television. God save our motherland.
