Potential flashpoints hanging over nation
That the December 7 is the date for general election is not new, but the outcome of the election, hitches and the violence that will be associated with the election are unpredictable.
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The police have identified 5,003 areas that could be flashpoints during the election, while the Electoral Commission (EC), for its part, has designated about 7,000 places as prone to violence during elections.
The number of potential violence spots has increased dramatically from that of the 2012 election. During the last general election, the police identified 3,574 flashpoints across the country as against 5,000 identified this time round.
Areas where there are chieftaincy and land disputes, or areas where there are high level of political antagonism among members of political parties are some of the signposts of election violence, according to the Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, Dr Benjamin Agordzor.
Although the Police Administration has kept the details of the constituencies to its chest, the trend over the years shows some specific areas could be prone to election violence.
Fortunately, the EC has released about 81 flashpoints that need to be watched during the conduct of the 2016 general election. Some of the areas are: Lawra, Jirapa, Wa Central in the Upper West Region and Builsa South Sandema, Navrongo Central, Bolgatanga Central, Zebilla and Central Bawku in the Upper East Region.
Northern Region
In the Northern Region, possible flash points are Walewale, Gushegu, Tolon, Sagnarigu North, Sagnarigu, Tamale Central Bug-Lanfong, Tamale South Lamashegu, Sagnarigu East Kalpohini, Yendi, Bimbilla, Wulensi, Salaga North Kpalbe and Salaga South.
Brong Ahafo Region
In the Brong Ahafo, the places where security personnel need to keep their eyes on are Tain Nsawkaw, Berekum West Jinijini, Berekum East, Techiman South Tuobodom, Atebubu/Amantia Atebubu, Sene West Kwame Danso, Sene East Kajeji.
Others are Asunafo South, Asunafo North, Asutifi South, Tano South, Tain and the Atebubu/Amantin constituencies.
Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Region tops the list with 14 flashpoints. The areas are Ahafo Ano North Tepa, Offinso South, Mampong, Kumawu , Bantama, Nhyiaeso, Manhyia North Buokrom, Manhyia South, Suame, Oforikrom, Asokwa, Asawase, Ashanti Akim Central, Konongo and New Edubiase.
Eastern Region
In the case of the Eastern Region, the following areas have been identified as violent prone: Nkawkaw, Akwatia, Suhum, New Juaben North Effiduase, New Juaben South Koforidua and Akwapim South Aburi- and in the Volta Region - Nkwanta South, Hohoe, Ho Central, Adaklu and Ketu South.
Greater Accra Region
In the Greater Accra Region, Ningo-Prampram, Tema Central, Tema West, Ashaiman, Madina, Amasaman, Ayawaso East Nima, Ayawaso Central Kokomlemle, Okaikwei Central Abeka, Ablekuma West-Dansoman, Odododiodioo-James Town, and Weija Gbawe are the places that will require extra vigilance.
The flash points in the Central Region are Awutu Senya East-Kasoa, Awutu Senya West, Assin Central-Assin Foso, Assin South-Nsuaem-Kyekyewere, Mfantseman Saltpond, Cape Coast South and Cape Coast North-Abura.
Western Region
In the Western Region –shama, Takoradi, Kwesimintsim, Sekondi, Tarkwa-Nsuaem Tarkwa, Prestea Huni Valley, Jomoro-Half Assini, Sefwi Wiawso and Bia West-Essam.
Strategies
With these potential flashpoints hanging over the nation, the question is how does the security deal with the situation?
According to Dr Agordzor, the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with other security agencies, had developed a four-tier strategic approach to provide security on election day.
About 32,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed to protect the polling stations in tomorrow’s general election.
Additionally, personnel from other security agencies would be on standby to provide the needed security for voters to exercise their franchise.
With the security arrangement put in place by the security agencies, coupled with the commitment of the presidential candidates to ensure peace in the forthcoming election, tomorrow’s general election can pass without major hitches. What can be a major headache is the behaviour of the electorate during and after the election.
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