The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of plotting to unleash violence ahead of the Akwatia by-election, raising fresh concerns over security in the constituency.
At a press conference on Wednesday, the NPP’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, alleged that the party has obtained “reliable intelligence” indicating that the NDC plans to deploy operatives disguised as national security personnel to harass residents and voters before and during the election, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2.
Mr. Ahiagbah stressed that the Ghana Police Service, which has pledged to deploy over 5,000 officers to maintain order, has assured that no military assistance is required. Despite this, he claimed Richard Jakpa — the recently appointed Director of Operations at the National Security Secretariat — has been touring Akwatia with soldiers and threatening residents.
“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 called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to rein in Jakpa and ensure that the military does not interfere in the by-election.
The NPP’s allegations come amid heightened political tensions in Akwatia, a noted swing constituency with a history of hotly contested polls.
Responding on the campaign trail earlier in the day, NDC Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande cautioned that his party would not tolerate intimidation.
“NDC is not a violent party, but on the 2nd of September, if anybody decides to come to the town or the voting grounds with violence, they will come, but they will not know how to leave,” Gbande warned, while reiterating the NDC’s commitment to peace.
NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, also weighed in, expressing optimism that the by-election can proceed peacefully if all parties adhere to democratic principles.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has reiterated its readiness to guarantee security and protect voters.
The by-election is expected to be fiercely contested between the NPP’s constituency treasurer, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, and the NDC’s constituency secretary, Bernard Bediako.
