Accra, Ghana, Feb 6, 2019 / 16:10 pm
The Catholic bishops of Ghana are condemning the actions of those involved in a violent incident during a Jan. 31 local election. According to local media reports, unidentified assailants injured eighteen people in a shooting near the capital city of Accra.
"We condemn in no uncertain terms the reported shootings and assaults perpetrated by some unidentified groups resulting in injuries," the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference wrote in a joint statement Feb. 1.
"Of particular concern is the reported use of vigilante groups to disturb the peace and quiet of the by-election."
The bishops warned that "such manifestations of lawlessness and insecurity" are a threat to the country's democracy, especially as the country prepares for a general election in 2020. They encouraged the police to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and the country's Election Commission to "liaise with the political parties to address all the challenges and fears of stakeholders in the conduct of peaceful elections."