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Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has alleged that hoodlums are preparing to adorn police uniforms to embark on nefarious operations during Tuesday’s Akwatia by-election.
According to Salam Mustapha, the NPP has picked up information which alleges that some people from Greater Accra plan to engage in unlawful activities on election day.
Speaking on the Channel One Newsroom on Sunday, August 31, Salam Mustapha stated, “Security goes beyond just men in uniform and all that. I have had cause to put out today some of the things we are picking up that we think the police should be on top of their brief — that some hoodlums from Greater Accra, Ashanti Region are preparing to adorn police uniforms and embark on nefarious operations. That has come to our attention. We are putting that to the police”.
“In our meeting with the police, we did indicate to them that we want to see the normal police operating standards where police uniforms have the name tags of the officers, and they should not be masked. So on Tuesday, any masked officer we see, we will count the person as not professional or a proper police person,” he added.
Also, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has alleged that the Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, Richard Jakpa, is moving around Akwatia with soldiers, threatening indigenes.
According to the NPP Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, the NDC is planning to use national security operatives to intimidate voters.
Speaking to the media in Accra on Wednesday, August 27, Richard Ahiagbah stated, NDC plans to “hide behind the guise of national security to terrorise some residents and voters in Akwatia.”
“Richard Jakpa has reportedly been perambulating Akwatia with soldiers, threatening some indigenes and residents to leave the town before the by-election in their own interest,” he claimed.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that any soldier involved in the Akwatia by-election will be considered and dealt with as a thug,” he declared.
Richard Ahiagbah further called on President John Mahama to call Richard Jakpa to order.
“We urge the President, under whose watch national security falls, to call Richard Jakpa to order and ensure that no soldier meddles in the Akwatia by-election,” Ahiagbah said.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Operations, COP Vance Baba Gariba, has revealed the military will be on standby during the upcoming Akwatia by-election.
COP Vance Baba Gariba detailed that the military will only be deployed if the condition makes it necessary.
Speaking to the media, COP Vance Baba Gariba stated, “The military will be only on standby. As and when we need them, then we will deploy them, but if we don’t need the military, then we will not request for the deployment of the military. They are only going to be on standby”.
He further appealed to the people of Akwatia to come out in their numbers to vote, as they will be protected throughout the process.
“I want to reassure all the good people of Akwatia that they should come out in their numbers and exercise their franchise. The GPS will continue to reassure of their safety and security during this period”, COP Vance Baba Gariba added.
The NPP is seeking to retain the seat following the demise of their Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi, leaving the seat vacant.
However, the NDC, on the other hand, is mounting a challenge with a better representation for Akwatia.
The Akwatia contest is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025 and has become a highly anticipated showdown between the major parties, NDC and the NPP, investing heavily.