The Church and the Quest for Peaceful and Credible Elections in Ghana

Abstract

The article is a critical reflection on the role of the church in the search for credible and peaceful elections in Ghana. Ghana has had eight general elections under the 4th Republic since 1992. The elections have been characterised by violence, cheating, and loss of property and in some instances lives. The church, civil society organizations, advocacy groups, donor agencies, etc. have played various roles to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. The general elections in Ghana however are not devoid of electoral challenges. The article argues that despite the challenges associated with general elections in Ghana, the church’s contribution over the years is still relevant and inevitable and therefore must be deepened for future general elections. The article pays attention to reports on general elections in Ghana by key organizations like the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the European Union, the African Union, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), and the Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa on elections in Ghana. The article concludes with a recommendation that the church must deepen its programmes, resources, and capacity of its personnel for future elections as the nation keeps searching for lasting solutions to its electoral challenges. The quest for credible and peaceful elections should be done on the principles of dialogue, consensus building, and the very Constitution which governs the nation. The church must deepen its public education, mediation, reconciliation, and spiritual support dimensions to the electoral process. Keywords: Public Theology, African Christianity, Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa, General Elections in Ghana