A criminologist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Jones Opoku-Ware, has attributed the ongoing post-election violence in the country to a lack of focus on managing the aftermath of elections.

According to him, there is a tendency to allocate resources primarily to the periods before and during elections, with insufficient attention given to post-election events.

Speaking on the disturbances in parts of the country following the general elections, Mr Opoku-Ware stated, “We didn’t pay much attention to the aftermath of the election. If you look at the security arrangements, a lot more focus and resources are dedicated to before and during the election, but we usually overlook what happens after the election results are declared.”

He further explained that contrary to popular belief, violence often stems not just from losing parties but also from those likely to be declared winners.

He remarked, “The violence may not necessarily come from people who have lost but probably from those who are likely to be declared as winners.”

Speaking on *Joy News AM Show* on Thursday, Mr Opoku-Ware admitted, “We may have failed” in effectively addressing post-election violence and called for a more proactive approach to preventing such incidents.

He emphasised the need for deliberate investment in measures to mitigate violence during the post-election phase.

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have condemned the acts of violence, reportedly perpetrated by supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who emerged victorious in the elections.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested several individuals believed to be connected to the violent incidents.