Ghana Police Simulate Ballot Box Snatching Ahead Of Akwatia By-Election
- The Ghana Police Service held a simulation exercise as part ahead of the Akwatia by-election
- Parts of the simulation, including a response to a vehicle attempting to escape with a ballot box, were captured by the media
- The Electoral Commission has scheduled the Akwatia by-election for September 2, 2025
The Ghana Police Service held a simulation exercise as part of preparations for the Akwatia by-election.
The media released video parts of the simulation, including a response to a vehicle attempting to escape with a ballot box.
Source: Getty Images
The training exercise took place at Akyeremanteng in the Eastern Region. The media was given access to the training drills.
Akwatia has been a hotspot of electoral violence in the past, notably during a by-election in August 2009.
The police service is under scrutiny because of its lack of action amid the disturbances and pockets of violence that marred the Ablekuma North election rerun on July 11.
The Interior Ministry assured that the police have learned from their mistakes during the polls. Minister Muntanka Mohammed-Mubarak called the violence a scar on Ghana's democracy during an address in July.
In comments to YEN.com.gh, a governance analyst, Ewald Garr, stressed that the government had to learn from its mistakes.
"The government needs to ensure adequate security for the upcoming by-election. I thought the police could have done better."
IGP sends strong warning to NDC and NPP
Ahead of the election, the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, sent a warning to supporters of the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party ahead of the Akwatia parliamentary by-election.
Speaking to the media, the Inspector General of Police assured that any person causing trouble at Akwatia would be decisively dealt with.
Yohuno said the Ghana Police Service was ready to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, protecting lives and property, before, during and after the Akwatia by-election.
He also cautioned the supporters of the candidates contesting in the elections to avoid carrying weapons to any of the polling stations.
He spoke after members of the Police Management Board engaged various stakeholders ahead of the Akwatia by-election to discuss security arrangements to ensure peace, law and order on August 19.
About the Akwatia by-election
The Electoral Commission announced it would hold the Akwatia by-election on September 2, 2025.
The Akwatia by-election was triggered by the passing of the area's Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Bernard Bediako Baidoo, a lawyer and constituency secretary of the NDC, would represent his party in the race after winning a primary.
He is squaring up against Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the NPP, who is looking to keep the seat blue.
Source: Facebook
The National Council of the NPP, in consultation with the party's executives in Akwatia, endorsed Asumadu as its parliamentary candidate without a primary process.
Some NDC supporters vowed to vote against Bediako in the Tamale by-election.
In a trending video circulating on social media, the party backers registered their displeasure over the process and outcome of the parliamentary primary.
Franklin Cudjoe backs NPP withdrawal
YEN.com.gh reported that IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe backed the NPP's move to step aside from the Tamale Central by-election.
Cudjoe has also called on the NDC to withdraw from the Akwatia by-election as a show of good faith.
Source: YEN.com.gh
