Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has firmly defended the government’s decision not to deploy military personnel during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, despite violent disruptions that marred the voting process at St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station in Odorkor.
The rerun was violently interrupted when a group of unidentified, heavily built men stormed the St. Peter’s Methodist Church 1 polling centre, assaulting some people.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Boamah rejected claims that the Ghana Police Service was overwhelmed:
“When you do not see them reacting with force, it does not mean they are helpless.”
He praised the police for their professionalism and restraint, insisting that military intervention should not be the default response to electoral tension.
Dr. Boamah cautioned against normalising military involvement in civil matters:
“If it becomes abundantly clear that the military must restore order, they will do it. But the military should not be the first port of call.”
He referenced the 2021 armed invasion of Parliament as a cautionary tale, warning that such actions undermine democratic values.
The Minister reminded the public that the rerun affects only 19 polling stations, not the entire constituency:
“That should not warrant military deployment.”
