Akwatia By-Election: Gbande Cautions Against Cycle of Violence
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has cautioned that any acts of violence during the upcoming Akwatia by-election will be met with equal resistance, stressing that the party will not allow intimidation to undermine the democratic process.
Addressing party supporters on the campaign trail in Akwatia on Wednesday, August 27, Gbande reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to peace but warned that the party will not remain passive if attacked on election day.
“We won’t bring violence here. NDC is not a violent party, but on the 2nd of September, if anybody decides to come to the town or the voting grounds with violence, they will come, but they will not know how to leave. Violence begets violence,” he said.
He urged party members to stay focused on mobilising support for the NDC’s parliamentary candidate, stressing that victory would depend on discipline, hard work, and vigilance at the polls.
“Let us go in our numbers to conduct thorough work. Let us encourage the people to vote for our candidate. We can’t win this election if we don’t go out to work. Let us be encouraged,” Mr. Gbande charged.
Meanwhile, the NDC’s national leadership has expressed optimism that the by-election will be conducted peacefully. National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, speaking separately, said the party remains committed to ensuring a fair contest and expects a violence-free exercise.
The Akwatia by-election, slated for Tuesday, September 2, will see the NPP’s constituency treasurer, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, face off against the NDC’s constituency secretary, Bernard Bediako, in a contest that has attracted national attention due to its swing-seat status.
In anticipation of potential unrest, the Ghana Police Service has announced the deployment of more than 600 officers to maintain law and order before, during, and after the polls. The officers, some of whom recently completed a five-day intensive training programme, have been tasked with safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
