Member of Parliament (MP) for Binduri, Hon. Issifu Mahmoud, has expressed strong confidence in the Ghana Police Service’s preparedness to safeguard the upcoming Akwatia by-election, while also stressing the urgent need for government investment in modern military equipment.
Speaking in Accra, the legislator, who also serves on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, pointed to the leadership of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as a guarantee of safety and order during the polls scheduled for September 30, 2025.
The by-election follows the passing of Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi, the constituency’s former parliamentary representative.
“I am very confident. We know the IGP; he has been part of the police system. He has risen through the ranks, been Operations Commander, Deputy IGP and a whole lot. We know the key roles he played in Assin North and the likes.
“His assurance is something that I, as a member of the Defence Committee, am quite confident about – that we may not record any nasty incident during the Akwatia by-election. I am confident in the Ghana Police Service. They will give us a better outcome”
Hon. Issifu Mahmoud, MP for Binduri
The Electoral Commission (EC) has already commenced preparations, with the printing of ballot papers beginning on August 20. The Commission has assured stakeholders that logistical arrangements remain firmly on schedule ahead of the vote.
The Ghana Police Service has also disclosed that more than 600 officers will be deployed on election day. The deployment includes specialised units trained in high-risk operations, crowd management, and drone-assisted surveillance to monitor polling stations across the constituency.
According to the Police Service, the strategy is to prevent violence and ensure a smooth process in a constituency that has historically drawn tense political contests. The deployment, it added, will be complemented by standby units tasked with rapid response in the event of unrest.
Replacement of Military Fleet
Beyond his focus on the by-election, Hon. Issifu Mahmoud turned attention to Ghana’s ageing military infrastructure, arguing that the state of the Armed Forces’ equipment has reached an alarming stage.
“The Military has been complaining. Our late Defence Minister also used to complain about how the time has come for us to change the military jets. The cost of servicing it and the dangers associated with its usage have come to a point that we have no other option”
Hon. Issifu Mahmoud, MP for Binduri
The Binduri MP maintained that operational challenges faced by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) extend far beyond the presidential jet, which has long been the subject of public debate. According to him, several aircraft and vehicles used by the military are “outdated, inadequate,” and in some cases “unsafe for service personnel.”
“They need more to boost what they have. if you know much about it, it is a sad story for this country,” he stated.
The MP’s remarks come at a time when Ghana is confronting heightened security challenges, including threats of violent extremism from the Sahel region and increasing pressure on border management.
The lack of modern logistics and operational equipment, he cautioned, could limit the effectiveness of the country’s defence forces in meeting these threats.
His call adds to long-standing concerns raised within Ghana’s security establishment, including appeals from past and current military leadership for systematic investment in logistics renewal.
With the recent loss of two cabinet ministers in a military helicopter crash earlier this month, the debate over the Armed Forces’ operational readiness has intensified in both public and parliamentary discussions.
As the Akwatia by-election approaches, the Binduri MP’s dual focus reflects the broader security dilemma facing Ghana. While immediate measures are being taken to ensure a peaceful poll, longer-term reforms in defence infrastructure remain unresolved.
The combination, he suggested, requires urgent attention from both Parliament and the Executive to guarantee the stability and safety of citizens.
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