On December 7, 2024, the people of Ghana will once again exercise their democratic right to elect leaders to steer the country for the next four years.

The Yama Foundation emphasizes that these elections must be conducted in a peaceful, free, and fair manner, devoid of intimidation or violence.

We must remember that no political party or candidate is worth the loss of any life. It is crucial for every Ghanaian to approach this process responsibly, cast their vote, and return home calmly. Elections are a means to strengthen our democracy, not an excuse for conflict or division.

Historically, voting in Ghana has largely been peaceful, with minimal disruptions. However, violence often arises during the ballot counting and result collation stages, particularly at polling stations and constituency collation centers. Such incidents have, unfortunately, led to the loss of innocent lives. A tragic example is the shooting and deaths of eight individuals during the 2020 elections, whose untimely passing remains a painful reminder of the need for restraint and decorum. These deaths were needless, and as a nation, we must ensure that no such tragedy occurs again.

Ghanaians must be mindful of the fact that “Peace is acted, not commanded.”

To prevent violence, the Yama Foundation appeals to voters and the general public to refrain from returning to polling stations or collation centers after casting their votes. Leave the processes of ballot counting and result collation to authorized officials: the Electoral Commission, political party agents, election observers, journalists, and security personnel.

The presence of unauthorized individuals, including political party vigilantes, often escalates tensions and makes it difficult for security personnel to manage crowds.

We assure all Ghanaians that the Electoral Commission, in collaboration with political party
agents and official observers, will ensure the transparency and integrity of the counting and
collation process. Every vote will be accounted for, and the results will reflect the true will of
the people.

The Yama Foundation also encourages voters to choose candidates based on their manifestos and vision for the country’s development, rather than being swayed by propaganda or smear campaigns. Let your choice be informed by policies that promise to address the challenges we face as a nation.

We wish all Ghanaians a peaceful election. May the candidate with the best plan for Ghana's
progress emerge victorious.
God bless our homeland Ghana, and make us great and strong