It is something that is in the air, almost non-perceptible- the threat of violence erupting in Ghana after the 2016 elections.
We have a couple of parties who have shown little diplomacy and a lot of violence in handling internal party issues, as well as an election which either side sees as make or break due to a unique alignment of history.
In the fourth republic, the NDC and the NPP have taken turns ruling Ghana for eight years each. However, the unfortunate death of President Mills in 2012 has thrown another wrench into that seemingly well oiled machine.
Because even though the NDC has had two terms, Mahama is just done serving his first term, which would give him a reason to try too hard to hang onto power. The NPP too, nevertheless, have been in opposition for eight years and would see it as their right to the Presidency. It is truly a make or break situation the likes of which we have never witnessed before.
Yet, we continue to take the Ghana is a peaceful country mantra as dogma- when we should actively be making sure our politicians know that violence is not an option.
Dr Emamanuel Kwesi Aning is a security expert with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr Aning said the posture of the two parties makes the prospect of violence a likely one.
“2016 is going to be very difficult, is going to be dangerous, we have already started seeing the makings of a potentially dangerous and tricky election.
“If the violence, abuse, intimidation and the use of the occult’s during the parties’ primaries are anything to go by, then I think we are moving towards the very edge for Election 2016,” Dr Aning said.
“But because most of us will not be allowed into Europe, I think as ordinary citizens, we will have to make some very hard choices, whether we want to use violence to get somebody into power; of which we won’t get any of the trickledown effects, destroy our country and become refugees somewhere else.
“I think that choice, no one can make it for Ghanaians, and we have to make it ourselves. I know where my choice is but it is up to other people to make their choice.
“We have been lucky with Election 2008 and Election 2012 which were very tricky and we know that in Election 2016, the parties may not go to the Supreme Court. I think as citizens the choice is up to us”.
Ghanains should consider ourselves warned.