Akwatia by-election: National Commission on Small Arms warns against carrying weapons
The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has warned that the Akwatia by-election on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, will be a "no-go area for weapons".
The Commission has, therefore, cautioned political actors, party leaders and the public against carrying lethal and non-lethal weapons, including firearms, tasers, pepper spray, knives and machetes during the electoral process.
“Anyone found with such items will face immediate arrest and prosecution,” a statement issued and signed by the Executive Secretary of the NACSA, Dr Adam Bonaa, on Sunday, August 24, 2025, said.
Violence
The Commission expressed concern over politically motivated violence often fueled by inflammatory rhetoric and the unlawful possession of firearms during elections, cautioning that such acts undermine the country’s democracy.
It urged politicians and party leaders to set an example by encouraging their supporters to express their political choices peacefully and lawfully.
The statement stressed that using arms or threats of violence to gain political advantage will not be tolerated, and the commission was committed to ensuring a peaceful election.
The Commission reaffirmed its collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, the Electoral Commission, the National Security Council, civil society organisations and other partners to monitor the polls and ensure a safe process.
It also called on all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and prioritise peace before, during and after the Akwatia by-election.
Recall
Police in the Akwatia District of the Eastern South Region have arrested six persons, including a Chinese, for possessing firearms and ammunition without authority, as part of intensified security measures ahead of the Akwatia by-election.
The suspects, who were arrested at different locations during the operations on Friday and Saturday, are Enoch Asiedu, 32; Lu Youyan, 58; Stephen Nkansah, 36; Peterson Joseph, 42; Bernard Kumi Ofosu, 33; and Joshua Amenuku.
The police said pump-action guns and AAA and BB cartridges 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.
Background
A 40-year old licensed small scale miner, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, aka Owusu, is contesting the parliamentary seat to replace the late Ernest Kumi on the ticket of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), while a legal practitioner, Bernard Bediako, is trying to reclaim the seat for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NDC and the NPP are the only parties which have filed nominations to contest the crucial by-election.
