The Ghana Police Service has assured the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the country an ‘overdose of security’ in the upcoming flagbearer election of the party on November 4.

According to the police, it is amply prepared to offer necessary security and ensure order during the conduct of elections.

Speaking at an engagement with the NPP, Electoral Commission and the Police today, October 26, 2023, the Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, state that the police is committed to taking another step to “deepen our democratic practices”, in connection with the internal elections of the New Patriotic Party.

He indicated that the Police has worked with the party for nearly two years in its quest to position leaders from all the levels and constituencies, for both regional and national, and now, it is in the “domain of working towards electing a presidential candidate”.

“Having said that, we want to assure that on the 4th, we are going to give you an overdose of security and it will be excellent and awesome. All what we require from you is to support us for each and every one of us to play his role and with that, we will be able to ensure that the police will do their work, the EC will do their work.
“All the people who will be voting across the country will also come out freely, willingly to vote and all the agents will also do what they’re supposed to do and for all of us to finish that process and for all of us to be winners at the level of the party, country and continent. It is on this note, that on behalf of my colleagues, to once again welcome you and for us to have this fruitful discussion and thereafter, we take it forward and we know it will be successful. So, let’s work towards that.”
IGP George Akuffo Dampare

Furthermore, IGP Dampare revealed that the first leg of elections the police worked together with the NPP was in August, when both parties were able to have a successful exercise. As a result, he noted that the police service is looking forward to working with the party come November 4.

“We look forward also to early next year to work with you as we work towards celebrating your parliamentary candidates. We’ve done the same for the other major political party, the NDC, and it has been successful all at this level and we want to use this opportunity to thank all the political parties and today, the NPP in particular, for cooperation extended to us for us to create a platform in an engaged fashion to work together to deepen our democracy.
“That is all what we require for Ghana to be a beacon of hope in the subregion, African continent and beyond and for people to continue also to learn from us as we continue to make this country great and strong.”
IGP George Akuffo Dampare

Electoral Commission vows successful November 4 election

On his part, the Deputy chairman in charge of operations at the Electoral Commission, Samuel Tettey, expressed the importance of the election, not only for the NPP, but also for the EC and the nation as a whole.

He revealed that the conduct of the election solely rests with the Electoral Commission, and for that matter, there should be series of engagements which the ongoing meeting is one of such.

To this end, Mr Tettey emphasized the need for all and sundry to prepare adequately and ensure that the election is successfully conducted.

“… So far, the engagements with the security services as well as the elections committee of the NPP has actually gone on well, and we are looking forward to having the final selection of a presidential candidate on the 4th of November. We are almost close to the date, and the Commission is not leaving any stone unturned.”
IGP George Akuffo Dampare

Furthermore, Mr Tettey emphasized the committe of the EC in ensuring that the election is successful.

“We know how the police and elections committee have been working very hard, we plead with all stakeholders to join the Commission to have a very successful elections come November 4.”
IGP George Akuffo Dampare