Causes and effects of political violence in Berekum municipality

Abstract

The dissertation, which was a cross-sectional descriptive survey, aimed at investigating the causes and effects of political violence in Berekum Municipality. The study was informed by deepening intensity with which violence germinates and multiples before, during and after presidential and parliamentary electioneering campaigns in the Municipality. A sample of 226 respondents madeup of 84 party members and 142 members of the public were selected for the study. The sample also consisted of 67 females and 159 males. Purposive sampling, proportional random sampling and quota sampling procedures were used to identify the sample. Respondents answered one set of hand-delivered questionnaire. The main statistical tools used in the data analysis were frequency distribution and percentages. The study revealed among other things that inciting comments from politicians, the use of alcoholic drinks, collision of opposing political party members during political rallies and processions, unemployment and poverty are some of the main predominant factors that trigger political violence in the Municipality. It also revealed that the people of Berekum through the political violence have experienced physical injuries, voter apathy, trauma, loss of relatives as well as loss of businesses. It was recommended that the Municipal Assembly should identify the unemployed in the Municipality and assistthose with employable skills to find employment while those with no employable skills should be trained by the Assembly in collaboration with the central government to get some employable skills