The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a deliberate attempt by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to intimidate voters in the Akwatia constituency ahead of the upcoming by-election.
Addressing the media today, Wednesday August 27, 2025, the NPP’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, alleged that the NDC is planning to misuse elements of national security to disrupt the peace and create fear among residents in a bid to influence the outcome of the election.
“We have credible intelligence that the NDC intends to hide behind the guise of national security to terrorize some residents and voters in Akwatia,” Mr. Ahiagbah said. “This is a dangerous and unacceptable development that must be addressed immediately.”
According to him, the Ghana Police Service has already indicated that it will deploy 5,000 officers to ensure law and order during the by-election. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has publicly assured Ghanaians that the police are fully capable of handling the situation without any military involvement.
Despite this, Ahiagbah accused Richard Jakpa, the newly appointed Director of Operations at the National Security Secretariat, of touring the constituency with armed soldiers.
He claimed that he has been issuing threats to some residents, allegedly warning them to leave town before election day “for their own safety.”
“We want to make it abundantly clear that any military involvement in the Akwatia by-election will be considered illegal,” he warned. “Any soldier or person seen acting outside of their lawful mandate will be treated as a thug and dealt with accordingly.”
The NPP has called on the Electoral Commission, civil society groups, and the international community to monitor the situation closely and ensure that the electoral process in Akwatia is free from violence and intimidation.
Mr. Ahiagbah emphasized that the NPP is committed to peaceful, free, and fair elections, and will resist any attempt to undermine the democratic process through fear tactics or the abuse of state institutions.
The Akwatia by-election is scheduled to take place in the coming days following the vacancy of the parliamentary seat.
Tensions have been rising as the two major political parties intensify their campaigns in what is expected to be a closely contested race.
