'We risk becoming refugees after 2016'

Ghanaians could become refugees after next year’s general elections, if political parties do not put measures in place to rid themselves of violent elements, a security analyst has warned.

Dr Kwesi Aning said the leadership of political must punish members, who violate their rules and regulations, in order to avert violence that may be spurred by the use of abusive language during the elections.

The Director of Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) warned that the increasing resort to vitriol and violence among party members is raising cause for concern and could spell possible doom in the upcoming elections.

Speaking to Class News’ Emefa Apawu, Dr Aning said the escalation of the use of abusive language in Ghana’s politics portends dire consequences. “We are moving towards the precipice.”

He called on political parties to punish wayward members who undermine their sanctity and credibility.

According to him, if political party bosses, who have dared to raise their voices against despicable acts get the support, “we can clean our politics before election 2016.”

In his view, if Ghana’s politics is not cleaned before the 2016 elections, the alternative may be unpleasant.

“If Ghanaians do not want to wash their dirty linen in public and want to be driven by the ‘fama Nyame’ (leave it to God) mentality, then we will become refugees,” he stressed.

He said most Ghanaians have nowhere to run to, because they cannot speak French, and they cannot swim in the event of disturbances.

“We have to make sure we get the air to breathe and be able to survive.”