The Western North Regional Communications Directorate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the GHยข6,000 fine imposed on eight persons convicted for their role in the Ablekuma North election violence as an insult to victims and Ghanaโs democracy.
In a press release dated August 29, 2025, and signed by the Regional Communications Officer, Addo Yaw Harry (Ogyaba), the party said it was disappointed by the courtโs decision, stressing that the punishment does not reflect the gravity of the crime.
The statement pointed out that the violence, which affected innocent citizens including Hawa Koomson, also damaged the countryโs democratic reputation.
According to the NPP, treating such acts with leniency risks emboldening perpetrators and undermining the electoral process.
โElection-related violence is not a petty crime, it undermines the very foundation of our democracy. By treating such a heinous act with leniency, the system sends the dangerous signal that political violence is a low-risk, high-reward enterprise,โ the statement said.
The Western North NPP warned that such rulings discourage law-abiding citizens who risk their lives to participate in elections. It called on government, parliament, and the judiciary to urgently review the sentencing regime for election-related violence.
The party also demanded that the conditions given to the eight convicted persons in the Ablekuma North case be reviewed, describing the ruling as โa straight slap on the face of our democracy and our electoral systems.โ
The statement concluded by affirming the partyโs solidarity with victims of the violence and calling for stronger institutional commitment to justice, fairness, and the protection of Ghanaโs democracy.
Below is full release
NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY
REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
WESTERN NORTH REGION
29th August, 2025
Press Release
GHยข6,000 FINE FOR ELECTION VIOLENCE? AN INSULT TO VICTIMS AND OUR DEMOCRACY
The recent conviction of the eight individuals arrested for their involvement in the Ablekuma North election violence raises serious concerns about the fight against political thuggery and impunity.
While we acknowledge the courtโs ruling, we are deeply disappointed that the punishment handed downโa mere GHยข6,000 fine or 24 monthsโ imprisonmentโdoes not reflect the gravity of the crime committed nor the damage caused to innocent citizens, including Hon. Hawa Koomson, and to the countryโs democratic reputation.
Election-related violence is not a petty crime; it undermines the very foundation of our democracy. By treating such a heinous act with leniency, the system sends a dangerous signal that political violence is a low-risk, high-reward enterprise.
This ruling emboldens perpetrators and discourages law-abiding citizens who risk their lives to participate in our democratic process.
As an opposition party, we demand that government, parliament, and the judiciary take urgent steps to review the sentencing regime for election-related violence to ensure that punishment is commensurate with the crime. Anything less will only normalize violence in our politics.
We stand with the victims of the Ablekuma North election violence and call for stronger institutional commitment to justice, fairness, and the protection of Ghanaโs democracy. We further demand a review of the conditions given to the eight convicted persons in connection with the Ablekuma North by-election violence.
This is a direct slap in the face of our democracy and our electoral systems.
-END-
SGD;
Addo Yaw Harry (OGYABA)
Regional Communications Officer โ NPP
Western North Region
