Police arrest 2 suspects including STC Station Manager in connection with Ablekuma North election violence

The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the violent disturbances that disrupted the Ablekuma North parliamentary re-run election on July 11, 2025. The suspects, identified as Musah Muntari, 46, a Station Manager at STC, and Ali Saeed, alias Mboma, 43, a businessman, are currently in custody assisting with investigations.

The election, which was marred by chaos, saw masked men believed to be party thugs attacking voters, journalists, and political figures at polling centres. At St. Peter’s polling station, NPP parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie and former MP Mavis Hawa Koomson were assaulted by unidentified men who arrived on motorbikes and in a pickup truck.

Journalists covering the election were also targeted. Salomey Martey (JoyNews) was slapped and shoved, Kwabena Agyekum Banahene (GHOne TV) was assaulted by a uniformed police officer inside a polling station, and Vida Wiafe (ATV) was reportedly pepper-sprayed.

Vow to pursue all perpetrators

In a press release, Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs for the Accra Regional Police Command, stated: “The Accra Regional Police Command assures the public of its commitment to ensuring that all persons responsible for acts of violence, intimidation, or misconduct during the elections are brought to justice.”

She further urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement, saying: “We encourage citizens to continue sharing credible information by calling our emergency numbers 18555 or 191 to aid in investigations.”

Widespread condemnation of violence & police inaction

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) have strongly condemned the attacks, demanding justice for the affected journalists.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and the Minority in Parliament have criticized the police for failing to intervene during the assaults, despite their visible presence at polling centres.

The National Peace Council has also called for restraint, urging political leaders to discourage violence and uphold the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process.