The Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, who also serves as the Chairman of the National Election Security Taskforce (NESTF), has assured Ghanaians of a comprehensive and enduring security plan to ensure peaceful, free, and fair elections on 7th December 2024.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with the leadership of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) held at Police Headquarters on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, the IGP highlighted the extensive measures taken to maintain law and order before, during, and after the elections.
Welcoming stakeholders, Dr Dampare emphasised the importance of trust and collaboration in achieving a peaceful electoral process.
He revealed that the 2024 General Elections’ security plan results from two years of careful preparation. Described as a blueprint for election security, the first of its kind in Ghana’s history, this comprehensive framework addresses immediate needs and sets a standard for the next three decades.
“This blueprint will be the standard security plan for elections now and for 30 years to come,” he stated, adding that the strategy had already contributed to the success of recent by-elections and internal political party elections, with support from stakeholders and for the benefit of Ghana.
The IGP further disclosed that the operational aspects of the plan have already been shared nationwide. “As we speak, the part of the blueprint relating to the 7th December 2024 elections has been distributed across the country, and officers are reviewing it to understand their deployment locations during the elections,” he explained.
Recognising challenges faced in past elections, Dr Dampare highlighted the critical role of collation centres in the electoral process.
“We have noted that many of the difficulties during elections arise from the collation centres,” he said.
To address this, the National Elections Security Taskforce has been working closely with the Electoral Commission to ensure that all collation centres designated for the 2024 general elections meet strict security standards and are prepared to support an orderly process.
The Inspector-General of Police reiterated the importance of public confidence in the security forces ahead of the general elections.
He urged stakeholders and the media to convey the message of reassurance to Ghanaians, fostering trust in the system’s capability to deliver a peaceful election and to uphold Ghana’s longstanding democratic success.
