We Must Condemn This Gun Politics Before It Kills Our Democracy

I saw a poster last night, and I could not sleep.

An aspirant for NDC Ashanti Regional Organizer, Alfa Justice, is on a campaign poster holding a pump‑action gun, dressed in military uniform, face cap, and dark shades. Under his boots, the caption reads: “To Protect Ballots, Boxes and Votes for 2028.”

To protect ballots with a gun? Since when?
Ghana’s democracy did not survive because of guns. It survived because ordinary Ghanaians — market women, teachers, drivers, polling agents — sat at polling stations from morning till midnight to ensure nobody cheated. No guns, just vigilance, civic duty, and a love for peace.

Now someone wants to tell us that to protect ballot boxes in Ashanti Region, we need commandos?

This is dangerous. Very dangerous — and must be condemned immediately.

Ashanti Region is already politically charged. Both NPP and NDC have strong numbers there. The last thing that region needs is an organizer who believes leadership is about intimidating citizens with a weapon.

And let’s be honest: What are we teaching our youth? That leadership requires posing with a gun? Is this the NDC that speaks of Nkrumah’s tradition — unity, progress, development? Where does a pump‑action gun fit into that vision?

Today it is a poster. Tomorrow it will appear at a polling station. The next day, someone will fire.

We cannot wait.
I am calling on the NDC national executives: call this young man to order. Tell him to pull down that poster. Tell Ghana clearly that the NDC does not believe in gun politics.

I am calling on the Police: If a young boy in Kumasi posted a gun on social media, he would be arrested by now. So why is a political poster with a gun treated differently?

I am calling on the Peace Council: Speak now. Do not wait until someone is beaten or shot at a delegate election before issuing the usual “we condemn violence” statement.

We protect ballots with our eyes, not rifles. We protect boxes with honesty, not fear. We protect delegates with ideas, not intimidation.

If we allow a gun on a ballot poster today, we open the door for blood in 2028.

Ghana is bigger than any organizer position. Our peace is bigger than any internal election. Remove the gun, and bring the ideas instead.