Minority Petitions Diplomats and Presidency Over Ablekuma North Rerun Violence After Budget Boycott
Minority raises alarm over rising electoral violence and political intimidation during Ablekuma North rerun; petitions diplomatic corps and President Mahama after walking out of 2025 budget presentation.
- Minority petitions diplomats and President over violence in Ablekuma North rerun
- Cites rising electoral intimidation as threat to Ghana’s democracy
- Boycotts 2025 Mid-Year Budget in protest of unaddressed election violence
The Minority in Parliament has officially petitioned both the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Maher Kheir, and President John Dramani Mahama, raising alarm over incidents of electoral violence during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun held on Friday, July 11.
These petitions come on the heels of the Minority’s walkout from Parliament ahead of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget presentation — a move they say was intended to protest rising political intimidation and what they call worsening threats to Ghana’s democratic processes.
Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh, addressing Parliament before the boycott, voiced concern about the growing trend of election-related violence, citing the Ablekuma North rerun as a clear example.
“Electoral violence is becoming a dangerous feature in our democracy,” he said, adding that the rerun in 19 polling stations exposed serious challenges.
While affirming respect for Speaker Alban Bagbin, Annoh Dompreh explained that the decision to exit Parliament was in protest of the unaddressed violence and its implications for democratic accountability.
“We cannot be part of the budget review while violence is met with silence,” he stated.
Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the seriousness of electoral violence and suggested that a proper debate on the matter could be held at a later date. The Minority, however, confirmed they would not participate in the budget presentation.
