The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and secure by-election in Akwatia, Eastern Region, scheduled for September 2, 2025.
This assurance follows a high-level visit by the Police Management Board (POMAB) to the High-Risk Operations Training Centre at Akyerematen on Wednesday, August 20. The visit was part of strategic efforts to assess the readiness of security personnel deployed for election duties.
According to the IGP, the police are taking no chances and have intensified security preparations in response to threats observed on social media and elsewhere.
“We have deployed and trained our personnel to be well-prepared for this by-election. Today, they’ll move into Akwatia to evaluate potential threats. Our presence and preparedness should give the people of Akwatia confidence that the election will be peaceful. No one will be allowed to cause chaos,” Dr. Yohuno assured.
Political Parties Demand Accountability
Just a day prior, on August 19, the Ghana Police Service convened a meeting with representatives of political parties to discuss security measures ahead of the polls.
During the meeting, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) called on the police to take swift and visible action against perpetrators of recent violence in the Ablekuma North constituency. The party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, questioned the status of investigations and arrests made following those incidents.
“There were clear videos and images of thugs affiliated with the NDC causing mayhem, yet no decisive action seems to have been taken,” Boakye said. “If the police want us to trust their assurances, they must address what happened in Ablekuma North.”
He stressed the importance of visible accountability to restore public confidence in the police’s neutrality and effectiveness.
NDC Calls for Tighter Access Control
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to tighten security and enforce access restrictions at polling centres.
Rashid Tanko-Computer, the NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, said former officials without accreditation should not be allowed within restricted areas of polling stations.
“We are committed to peace, but we’re also alert to the conduct of our opponents,” he stated. “In Ablekuma North, for instance, one of the NPP leaders was reportedly carrying pepper spray. The EC must ensure only accredited individuals are allowed in restricted zones.”
Both major parties emphasized their commitment to a peaceful election, while urging authorities to act decisively to prevent any recurrence of electoral violence.
