In Ghana, two opposing political parties got into a violent clash before the swearing in of the new parliament speaker. During the clash, the governing party deputy was making an attempt to seize the ballots that would ultimately put the new speaker into office. Due to the quick escalation of the violence, the national army was sent in to deescalate the situation that had been going on for hours. “There was a total breakdown of law and order” said MP-elect Kwame Twumasi Ampofo of the opposition National Democratic Congress. “Looking at a member of parliament and a minister of state snatching ballot papers … was so shameful”. The incoming parliament is split down the middle between the two parties therefore the decisions will be difficult to make when they go to a vote, and the biggest concern is going to be how the coronavirus will be handled, as well as the decisions and changes that will be discussed on how to save to economy that has been heavily impacted by covid-19.
Just like most countries, the divide in politics often causes many problems and little results. In rare situations it results in violence and higher forms of authority to step in to escalate violence. This clash in Ghana is an example of the radical extremes being taken to a new level of ignorance and disrespect towards the higher powers of the country. I think that two similar events, for similar reasons in two very different countries in two very different parts of the world are a bit worrisome.
If the events that took place in Ghana and in the US begin to gain popularity throughout the world, that would result in some huge problems. For example the people’s trust in their government is extremely important and it is getting more and more popular throughout the world. If this type of backlash continues towards governments from their people then the way our world works could be very different 50 years from now. Governments would be forced to make changes in how they do things and there is absolutely no possible way to please everyone in any country. Therefore if after every election there was violence then the way countries operate their elections would have to change.