Inspector-General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has assured Ghanaians that the ongoing Akwatia by-election will be conducted peacefully and without disruptions.
Speaking to the media after touring several polling centres on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, COP Yohuno said the disturbances that marred the Ablekuma North rerun will not be repeated in Akwatia.
He explained that police officers deployed for the exercise have received rigorous training and are fully prepared to maintain order throughout the process. According to him, the by-election will “set a tone for future elections” in Ghana.
Ablekuma North is a thing of the past. We are moving forward. I assure you that this election will set a tone for future elections. With God on our side, and with the preparations and training of our men, we are ready to discharge our duties without fear or favour,” he stressed.
Addressing concerns that the heavy police presence in Akwatia might intimidate voters, the IGP dismissed such claims, saying security personnel are rather ensuring that voters feel safe to participate in the process.
“With our presence, the people feel safe, they are happy with the deployment, and they can freely come out to vote,” he noted, adding that more reinforcements will be deployed during the vote-counting stage.
Voting is currently underway across 119 polling stations, where more than 50,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots. The contest has become a major political showdown between the country’s two leading parties.
The Akwatia by-election was triggered by the death of the area’s Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi.