Akwatia By-Election: Heavy Police Presence Alarms Local Residents
Some residents of Akwatia in the Eastern Region have raised concerns about the heavy security presence ahead of the by-election scheduled for September 2, 2025.
Speaking on Akwatia Watch on Channel One TV with Nana Tuffour Boateng, some constituents said the large deployment of police personnel has heightened fears of possible violence.
“Looking at the number of police officers coming here, I am getting a little bit scared… I thought it was going to be a peaceful something, a normal election, but with the number of Police here, it’s scary,” Francis Agbeko said.
Another resident, Otu, however, expressed confidence in the Police, insisting that he expected a peaceful process.
As part of measures to ensure order and security, the Ghana Police Service has deployed over 600 officers to the constituency, some of whom recently completed a five-day intensive training. Police have so far arrested 10 people in possession of firearms in the area.
The by-election was triggered by the death of Akwatia’s Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi. Preparations are already underway, with the printing of ballot papers commencing on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
The main contenders in the poll are Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
