Ghanaian Shia leaders urge peaceful and fair elections amid successful polls

Following Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections held yesterday, December 7, the National Imam’s Office of the Shia community reiterated its call for peace and fairness in the electoral process. In a pre-election statement published in the Ghanaian Times and viewed by Shia Waves Agency, the office emphasized elections as a cornerstone of democracy and legitimacy for public officeholders.

The statement highlighted recurring challenges in Ghana, such as voter distrust in electoral institutions and the exploitation of youth for electoral violence. It urged the Electoral Commission to remain impartial, called on the media to maintain professional coverage, and criticized security forces for the violence during the 2020 elections, which left eight dead without accountability.

Shia leaders appealed to Ghanaian youth to reject violence, stressing their civic duty to advocate for peaceful change. Quoting the Quranic verse, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves,” the statement underscored the role of self-reform in societal progress.

The leaders expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to conduct transparent and fair elections and urged a collective commitment to safeguard the nation’s legacy of peaceful coexistence. Early reports suggest that the election day was largely peaceful, reflecting Ghana’s strong democratic tradition.