IGP Tetteh Yohuno Warns NDC and NPP Supporters Ahead of Akwatia By-Election
- IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno has warned NDC and NPP supporters against causing chaos during the Akwatia by-election
- He said anyone who foments trouble or carries weapons will be decisively dealt with by the police
- The police have met stakeholders, including the EC and political parties, to ensure peace and security for the polls
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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has sent a stern warning to supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the Akwatia parliamentary by-election.
Speaking to the media, the IGP stated any individual who attempts to foment trouble at Akwatia would be decisively dealt with.
Source: Facebook
"If you come with any intention of causing trouble, we won't allow you to go free," he reportedly said.
Mr Yohuno said the Ghana Police Service is ready to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, protecting lives and property, before, during and after the Akwatia by-election.
He also cautioned the supporters of the candidates contesting in the elections to avoid carrying weapons to any of the polling stations.
"If you come with arms, we will deal with you with arms," the IGP further warned.
Read the IGP's reported speech here:
Police meet stakeholders ahead of Akwatia
Meanwhile, the IGP and members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) have engaged various stakeholders ahead of the Akwatia by-election to discuss security arrangements to ensure peace, law and order.
Held on Tuesday, 19 August 2025, the meeting enabled the hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service to outline security arrangements for the election to political parties and take note of their concerns.
Source: Facebook
Party representatives from both the NPP and NDC appreciated the engagement and, among other points, called for fairness and transparency in security deployment to foster trust in the process.
The meeting with the political parties follows a similar engagement with the leadership of the Electoral Commission (EC) on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, to discuss the broader roadmap for the polls.
The discussions centred on coordination between the Police and the EC to ensure smooth operations before, during and after the election.
During the meeting, the EC also outlined its operational roadmap for conducting the by-election.
Similarly, on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, the Police also engaged with the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) at the National Police Headquarters.
At the meeting, IDEG highlighted concerns related to electoral security, transparency, and the role of stakeholders in sustaining public confidence in the process.
What necessitated the Akwatia by-election
The Akwatia by-election, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, was triggered by the passing of the area's Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
He died at Lister Hospital in Accra on Monday, July 7, 2025, after a short illness.
Both the ruling NPP and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have selected their candidates for the by-election.
The NPP endorsed Solomon Kwame Asumadu as its parliamentary candidate without holding a primary.
The NDC elected Bernard Bediako Baidoo, a private legal practitioner, to contest the seat against the NPP’s candidate.
Source: Facebook
NPP youth organiser speaks on Awatia by-election
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, reiterated his party's resolve to win the Akwatia by-election.
The Akwatia by-election, slated for Tuesday, 2 September 2025, was necessitated by the untimely death of the Member of Parliament for the area, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
He suggested that the late MP's soul would not have forgiven the party if they had failed to retain the seat in his memory.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
