NPP Warns Soldiers Against Meddling in Akwatia By-Election, Labels Them as Thugs

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has sounded a strong warning ahead of the upcoming Akwatia by-election, declaring that any soldier who interferes in the process will be treated as a thug.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, August 27, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of scheming to use national security operatives to intimidate voters.

According to him, the NPP has gathered credible intelligence that the NDC intends to “hide behind the guise of national security to terrorise residents and voters in Akwatia.”

He noted that the Ghana Police Service has committed to deploying 5,000 officers to secure the polls, with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) making it clear that the police are fully capable of maintaining order without military support.

Despite this assurance, Ahiagbah alleged that Richard Jakpa, the newly appointed Director of Operations at the National Security Secretariat, has been moving through Akwatia with soldiers and issuing threats to residents.

“Richard Jakpa has reportedly been perambulating Akwatia with soldiers, threatening some indigenes and residents to leave the town before the by-election in their own interest,” he charged.

The NPP’s spokesperson cautioned that any military involvement would be met with strong resistance:

“We want to make it abundantly clear that any soldier involved in the Akwatia by-election will be considered and dealt with as a thug,” Ahiagbah declared.

He further urged President John Dramani Mahama, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, to call Mr. Jakpa to order and ensure the military stays away from the by-election.

The Akwatia by-election, set for Tuesday, September 2, has become a national flashpoint, with both the NPP and NDC trading accusations of intimidation.

Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande, has also warned that any acts of violence on election day will be met with “equal resistance,” stressing that the party will not allow intimidation to undermine the will of the people.