Ghana Slips to 55th in Global Peace Index 2024 Amid Election Concerns

Ghana’s peacefulness has seen a steep decline on the 2024 Global Peace Index, falling from 51st place in 2023 and 40th in 2022 to 55th globally.

The drop comes at a pivotal moment as the country prepares for its December 7 elections, raising concerns over the stability of the process.

Regional Shift in Peace Rankings

Once Sub-Saharan Africa’s second most peaceful nation, Ghana now ranks fourth in the region, overtaken by Mauritius, Madagascar, and Botswana. This shift highlights growing internal challenges affecting the country’s reputation for peace.

Insights from the Global Peace Index

The Global Peace Index (GPI), published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, ranks 163 countries based on societal safety, conflicts, and militarisation. Ghana’s slipping rank underscores concerns over its democratic stability and emerging security threats, which may impact the integrity of its upcoming elections.

Global Trends in Peacefulness

Africa continues to face peace struggles, with the Middle East and North Africa region being the least peaceful. The GPI reveals a global 17-year decline in peace due to rising political instability and conflicts, though there are some positive signs, such as increasing UN peacekeeping commitments.