Ghana’s standing in global peacefulness has experienced a notable decline, as the country now ranks 55th in the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI). This is a drop from its 51st position in 2023 and a more significant fall from 40th in 2022, reflecting increasing concerns about societal safety, conflict, and security.
In the regional context, Ghana has also lost ground in Sub-Saharan Africa, falling from its previous position as the second most peaceful country in the region. It now ranks fourth, with Mauritius, Madagascar, and Botswana surpassing it in the latest index. These shifts in rankings highlight the challenges Ghana faces in maintaining peace amid various national and global issues.
The Global Peace Index, now in its 18th edition, is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) and assesses the peacefulness of 163 countries, covering 99.7% of the world’s population. The GPI serves as a comprehensive evaluation tool that provides insights into how nations manage societal safety, conflict, and militarization.
As Ghana heads toward its highly anticipated December 7 elections, this decline in peacefulness becomes particularly significant. The decrease in Ghana’s GPI ranking raises concerns about the need for a peaceful and transparent electoral process. Ensuring stability and preventing any localized conflicts during this critical period are crucial for maintaining Ghana’s democratic foundation and addressing the emerging challenges that threaten its peace.
The Global Peace Index evaluates countries based on three primary domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarization. These categories are further broken down into 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators, providing a thorough analysis of a country’s peace status. The data reveal that Ghana’s decline in peacefulness is closely linked to rising political instability and other security concerns, factors that must be closely monitored ahead of the elections.
Ghana’s position in the 2024 GPI report contrasts with the broader trends observed across the African continent. While Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face many challenges, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remains the least peaceful globally. Four of the ten least peaceful countries in the world are located in this region, with Sudan and Yemen ranking as the two least peaceful nations worldwide. This places Ghana’s situation in a broader global context where various regions are grappling with escalating conflict, political violence, and security concerns.
The global peace trend, as reflected in the 2024 GPI report, indicates that peace has steadily declined over the past 17 years. Several key factors have contributed to this negative trajectory, including political instability, increasing numbers of conflict-related deaths, and violent demonstrations worldwide. These factors have exacerbated existing tensions within nations, leading to higher levels of militarization and eroding societal safety in many regions.
Despite the global decline in peace, the report does highlight some positive developments. One notable improvement is the stronger global commitment to United Nations peacekeeping efforts, which recorded the most significant improvement among all GPI indicators.
The renewed focus on peacekeeping operations demonstrates the international community’s recognition of the importance of maintaining global peace in an increasingly unstable world. Strengthening peacekeeping initiatives can help mitigate conflicts and stabilize regions that are facing escalating violence, including in parts of Africa.
For Ghana, the fall in peacefulness presents both a challenge and an opportunity. As the country prepares for its national elections, there is a pressing need for all stakeholders, from political leaders to security agencies, to prioritize peace and security throughout the electoral process. In recent years, Ghana has been viewed as a beacon of democracy and stability in West Africa, and ensuring a peaceful election is crucial to maintaining that reputation.
The declining peace score also reflects the necessity for more robust conflict prevention mechanisms, particularly at the local level, where tensions often escalate during election periods. Strengthening law enforcement capacity, promoting dialogue among political parties, and ensuring media responsibility in reporting on electoral activities are essential steps toward maintaining peace. It is equally important to address socio-economic grievances that may fuel unrest, such as unemployment and inflation, which have been major concerns in Ghana in recent years.
The international community, including regional bodies such as the African Union and ECOWAS, will be closely watching Ghana’s electoral process. Ghana’s commitment to democratic principles and peaceful transitions has been widely recognized, but any disruptions or conflicts during this period could undermine the progress the country has made in previous years. Ensuring a smooth and transparent electoral process is not only vital for Ghana’s internal peace but also for its standing as a regional leader in democracy and stability.
The 2024 Global Peace Index paints a sobering picture of the state of peace worldwide, and Ghana’s decline in the rankings underscores the need for urgent action. As the country moves forward, focusing on the upcoming elections and beyond, there must be a concerted effort to reverse the trend of declining peace and to restore Ghana’s position as one of the most peaceful nations in the region. This will require collaboration across all sectors of society, with a firm commitment to upholding peace, security, and democratic values.
In conclusion, Ghana’s drop to 55th place in the 2024 Global Peace Index serves as a wake-up call for the country to take proactive steps in addressing the factors contributing to its decline. By focusing on peace during the election period and working to resolve the underlying issues that threaten societal stability, Ghana can work to restore its peaceful standing both regionally and globally.
The upcoming elections provide an opportunity to demonstrate that Ghana remains committed to peace, even in the face of challenges.
