PRE-ELECTION VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN GHANA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 001122

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2028
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GH
SUBJECT: PRE-ELECTION VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN GHANA

Classified By: Ambassador Teitelbaum for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1.(U) Supporters of the two main political parties clashed
on September 1 in Gushiegu District in Northern Ghana,
leaving six dead. According to the state owned "The Ghanaian
Times," the dispute, which resulted in gunfire, started after
supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National
Democratic Congress (NDC) were both attempting to erect party
flags and symbols in the same area. Several cars and eight
houses were reportedly burned in the violence, including a
house owned by a local NDC official. The Northern Regional
Minister has called for Ghana Armed Forces personnel to
enforce a curfew.


2. (U) In a separate incident, a NPP rally in Tamale was
disrupted by gunfire. The NPP vice presidential candidate,
Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia was reportedly about to address a crowd
when a shot was fired. Bawumia left the area unharmed, but
the incident led to attacks on NDC supporters passing through
the area and to the destruction of a NDC office. The
newspaper reports that the military is patrolling Tamale.


3. (C) Comment. There is a long-term history of violence in
Northern Ghana unrelated to elections, but the pressure from
the upcoming December election may be complicating issues.
The Gushiegu District incident does not appear to have
involved a chieftaincy dispute, a frequent cause of conflict
in Northern Ghana. Some of our contacts from both main
parties have reported that they are readying supporters to
respond to provocations. Pre-election violence may spread to
other regions besides the north as partisan emotions build
prior to the December polls. End Comment.
TEITELBAUM