By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq
Celebrated and award winning investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has spoken out strongly against the recent violence that marred the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, urging Ghanaians to reject the normalization of brutality during elections, regardless of political affiliation.
In a thought-provoking post titled “DON’T BE EXCITED. IT MAKES YOU AN ANIMAL,” Manasseh expressed deep concern over the growing trend of political supporters justifying or celebrating electoral violence when it benefits their side.
“Don’t be excited that it was Ayawaso West Wuogon, and your opponents were beaten. Don’t be excited that it is Ablekuma North and your opponents have been beaten,” he wrote. “Be worried that it makes you and me (Ghanaians) look like animals in the eyes of the world.”
Manasseh called out the hypocrisy of partisans who alternate between condemnation and celebration depending on which party is affected by violence. He argued that such selective outrage only deepens the country’s democratic wounds.
“If you gloated over Ayawaso West Wuogon and are now condemning Ablekuma North, that makes you look like an animal. If you condemned Ayawaso West Wuogon and are now rejoicing over the violence of Ablekuma North because you have the upper hand this time, then you’re not better than an animal.”
Referring to democratic practices in other nations where elections are conducted peacefully, Manasseh emphasized that Ghana, too, should aspire to such standards. He stressed that the process of choosing leaders should be straightforward and free of violence: “Ours is to go and vote, return home, and allow our representatives and the Electoral Commission to count and tell us who has won.”
His statement comes in the wake of disturbing reports of assaults and chaos at polling stations during the Ablekuma North rerun on Friday, July 11. Videos circulating online showed violent confrontations, drawing sharp criticism from civil society and the general public.
Manasseh’s message is a reminder that the health of Ghana’s democracy depends not just on laws and institutions, but on the behaviour and mindset of its citizens.
“We don’t have to maim and kill one another to elect people to go to parliament. That’s not what human beings are expected to do,” he wrote. “How that stupidity rubs off on our collective image must concern you.”
