The Ghanaian government has introduced robust security measures to ensure a peaceful Akwatia by-election, aiming to avoid a repeat of the violence that marred the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun on July 11, 2025.
Announced following a closed-door meeting on July 18, 2025, between Parliament’s Security and Intelligence, Defence, and Interior Committees, the Ministers for Defence and Interior, and the Inspector General of Police, these measures reflect a proactive approach to de-escalate tensions and protect Ghana’s democratic process.
The Ablekuma North rerun saw attacks on journalists, including Kwabena Agyekum Banahene, Salomey Martey, and Vida Wiafe, as well as political figures, prompting the interdiction of a police officer and widespread condemnation from groups like the Media Foundation for West Africa.
Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Chairperson of the Security and Intelligence Committee, emphasized that the measures aim to learn from past incidents to prevent recurrence, while Reverend John Ntim Fordjour urged public cooperation to safeguard voter safety.
The by-election, triggered by the death of NPP MP Ernest Yaw Kumi in early July 2025, is a critical test for these protocols, given Akwatia’s history of electoral violence, such as the 2008 ballot box snatching. Civil society groups like CODEO and CDD-Ghana have called for accountability and professionalism, especially after the 2020 and 2024 elections saw eight and six deaths, respectively.
The government’s efforts, including the arrest of Francis Asante, a self-proclaimed Delta Force leader threatening violence, signal a commitment to curbing electoral disruptions.
