Police deploy over 5000 officers for Akwatia by-election 

The Ghana Police Service has deployed 5,500 officers to the Akwatia constituency in anticipation of the by-election scheduled for  September 2, 2025.

The move follows growing political tension after the death of the sitting MP, Ernest Kumi of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), left the seat vacant. The constituency has since become a flashpoint of rivalry between the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition NPP.

With political stakes running high, the scale of the deployment underscores efforts by authorities to maintain order and protect voters amid fears of unrest.

The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin recently criticised the NDC’s decision to contest the seat, a statement that has further fuelled pre-election anxiety in an already charged atmosphere.

Speaking to the press, COP Vans Baba Gariba, Director of Operations at the Ghana Police Service, stressed that the operation is focused on safeguarding voters, not intimidating them.

"Our personnel will be engaging with communities to reassure voters," he said. "People should not be afraid. Everyone should feel free to come out and exercise their right to vote."

The police have also tightened security around the collation centre, where only accredited officials will be allowed access during vote counting—a move aimed at preventing disruptions and protecting the integrity of the process.

This large-scale deployment draws comparisons with the 2024 general election, which saw a heavy security presence but still experienced pockets of violence.

With memories of past clashes during by-elections still fresh, the Akwatia vote is widely seen as a critical test of whether a visible and strategic security presence can ensure a peaceful and credible outcome.

Authorities hope the show of force will deter any attempts to disrupt the democratic process and send a clear message: electoral violence will not be tolerated.