The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has called on the Ghana Police Service to deliver a peaceful and credible by-election in Akwatia, emphasising the need for strategic deployment, inter-agency collaboration, and proactive electoral security planning.
Speaking to the leadership of the police service at a gathering, Hon. Muntaka stressed that ensuring electoral integrity and public confidence in the democratic process must be a paramount responsibility of the Police Service as the country prepares for the upcoming Akwatia by-election.
“We must ensure that our personnel are not only deployed in sufficient numbers but are adequately briefed and equipped with the needed resources to prevent and contain election-related violence.”
Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak
He further called on the Ghana Police Service to work closely with the Electoral Commission, traditional authorities, and civil society organisations to develop “context-sensitive strategies that will enhance confidence in the electoral process.”
According to him, public trust is a critical ingredient in sustaining democracy, and law enforcement must not be seen as merely reactionary but rather as a proactive partner in democratic governance.
The Minister specifically advised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to constitute a dedicated Electoral Security Monitoring Task Force for the Akwatia by-election.
This specialised unit, he said, should be tasked with overseeing all aspects of security planning, stakeholder coordination, intelligence gathering, and rapid response operations during the by-election period.
“Let us seize this opportunity to redeem the lapses of the past and strengthen the legacy of Ghanaian democracy. Every election is a test of our nation’s maturity, and how we handle this by-election will signal our collective readiness to uphold the peace and integrity of our democratic institutions.”
Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak
While the Akwatia constituency has previously been a flashpoint in Ghana’s electoral history, the Minister’s call comes as part of broader national efforts to prevent violence, protect lives, and maintain public order during elections.
Most political analysts have often noted that early planning, stakeholder engagement, and professional conduct of security personnel are crucial for the peaceful conduct of elections in hotspots such as Akwatia.
The Minister’s address reinforced the government’s expectations of professionalism, neutrality, and effectiveness from the Ghana Police Service in the lead-up to the Akwatia by-election.
Galamsey’s Fight
In addition to his remarks on electoral security, the Minister used the opportunity to commend the Ghana Police Service for its renewed efforts in fighting illegal mining, widely known in Ghana as galamsey.
He lauded the leadership of the IGP and the broader police administration for what he described as a bold and commendable commitment to protecting the environment and national stability.
“Let me congratulate the IGP and the Ghana Police Service for their tireless and courageous efforts in confronting one of the gravest threats to our environment and national stability—illegal mining. Your unrelenting drive to dismantle this destructive menace and your deep commitment to inter-agency collaboration are commendable.”
Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak
Hon. Muntaka emphasised that the fight against galamsey is not just a government agenda but a national duty requiring the support of all stakeholders, including local communities, political leaders, and civil society organisations.
He urged Ghanaians to support the Police Service in this effort, noting that “posterity will not forgive us if we fail in this sacred responsibility.”
The Minister’s commendation of the police’s environmental efforts underscores the growing recognition of security agencies not only as law enforcers but also as active stewards of Ghana’s natural resources.
With illegal mining continuing to threaten water bodies, forests, and agricultural lands, his remarks highlight the increasing intersection of security and environmental sustainability in public policy.
His dual focus on electoral integrity and environmental protection also signals a shift toward a more holistic understanding of security—one that transcends policing in the traditional sense to embrace broader democratic and developmental goals.
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