Police Seize Guns And Ammunition In Akwatia Ahead Of By-Election, 10 Persons Arrested
- The Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested 10 suspects and retrieved nine weapons in separate operations at Akwatia
- These actions were part of ongoing security operations ahead of the by-election in the Eastern Regional town
- The weapons include eight pump-action guns and one locally manufactured single-barreled gun
Police in the Akwatia District have arrested 10 persons for possessing firearms unlawfully.
This was part of intensified security measures ahead of the Akwatia by-election.
Source: Getty Images
The suspects, who included a Chinese, were arrested at different locations during the operations on August 22 and August 23.
Police in a statement said that the suspects were identified as Enoch Asiedu, 32; Lu Youyan, 58; Stephen Nkansah, 36; Peterson Joseph, 42; Bernard Kumi Ofosu, 33, and Joshua Amenuku.
Shotguns and corresponding ammunition were retrieved from the suspects during the arrests.
The operations followed a meeting by the police top brass with the two major political parties, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), to discuss measures towards a violence-free process on September 2, 2025.
Akwatia has been a hotspot of electoral violence in the past, notably during a by-election in August 2009.
The police service is under scrutiny because of its lack of action amid the disturbances and pockets of violence that marred the Ablekuma North election rerun on July 11.
The Interior Ministry assured that the police have learned from their mistakes during the polls. Minister Muntanka Mohammed-Mubarak called the violence a scar on Ghana's democracy during an address in July.
About the upcoming Akwatia by-election
The Electoral Commission is in the final stages of preparing for the Akwatia by-election on Tuesday, September 2, this year.
The by-election followed the death of MP Ernest Yaw Kumi.
The late Kumi, who represented the NPP, had defeated the NDC candidate for the 2024 parliamentary election, Henry Boakye Yiadom, by 19,269 votes to 17,206, a difference of 2,063 votes in the 2024 election.
A 40-year-old licensed small-scale miner, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, is contesting the parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP, while a legal practitioner, Bernard Bediako, is trying to reclaim the seat for the NDC.
The National Council of the NPP, in consultation with the party's executives in Akwatia, notably endorsed Asumadu as its parliamentary candidate without a primary process.
IGP sends strong warning to NDC and NPP
Ahead of the election, the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, warned the community and political actors against any acts of insecurity.
Speaking to the media, the Inspector General of Police assured that any person causing trouble at Akwatia would be decisively dealt with.
Yohuno said the Ghana Police Service was ready to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, protecting lives and property, before, during and after the Akwatia by-election.
Source: Facebook
He also cautioned the supporters of the candidates contesting in the elections to avoid carrying weapons to any of the polling stations.
Read also
Tamale Central: NDC sets date for primaries ahead of by-election, pegs filing fee at GH¢40k
He spoke after members of the Police Management Board engaged various stakeholders ahead of the Akwatia by-election to discuss security arrangements to ensure peace, law and order on August 19.
Police hold simulation ahead of Akwatia by-election
YEN.com.gh reported that the Ghana Police Service held a simulation exercise as part of preparations for the Akwatia by-election.
The media released video parts of the simulation, including a response to a vehicle attempting to escape with a ballot box.
The training exercise took place at Akyeremanteng in the Eastern Region. The media was given access to the training drills.
Source: YEN.com.gh
