NPP Urges Police to Address Ablekuma North Violence Ahead of Akwatia By-Election
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged the Ghana Police Service to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in the Ablekuma North election violence, ahead of the Akwatia by-election.
The NPP made this request during a critical meeting between the Ghana Police Service and political parties in preparation for the Akwatia by-election, scheduled for September 2.
In an interview with the media following the meeting, the NPP’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, stated that, to restore confidence in security measures ahead of the Akwatia by-election, the Ghana Police Service must take action against those involved in the Ablekuma North electoral violence.
“We said that thugs who were linked to the NDC, who caused mayhem, their images are all over, the videos all over and as we speak, the Ghana Police Service has not effected any decisive arrest. We saw a communique that stated that they have arrested two persons. We do not know of any update. Were they put before the court? Are they on remand?
“We don’t know anything, so we were very strong on this particular point. The IGP said that they are very serious about it and that we should even expect that by the close of today, some arrests will be made. If they want us to rely on these assurances, then they must work on what happened in Ablekuma North.
“The Ghana Police Service should give us that confidence that they have dealt with the Ablekuma North issue,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Rashid Tanko-Computer, disclosed that the NDC during the meeting urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to strengthen its security measures.
This, he believes, will prevent former state officials, who have no legitimate reason to be present, from entering the inner perimeter of polling stations, ensuring that incidents like those during the Ablekuma North election are not repeated.
“We are very clear in our mind that we, the NDC, are committed to the peace plan and the promises they have put in place, but we were mindful of the activities of our opponents who will come in there with dangerous weapons. Recall what happened in Ablekuma North, which triggered all these problems.
“One of the leaders, Hawa Koomson, had pepper spray in her bag. We are telling them that they need to beef up security and make sure that the fact that you are a former MP or Minister, once you don’t have accreditation, you have no business at the polling station,” he stated.
