The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has escalated the political temperature ahead of the Akwatia by-election, issuing a stern warning against military interference in the polls.
The party insisted that any attempt by soldiers to insert themselves into the process would be treated as an act of thuggery.
At a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, August 27, the NPP’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, directly accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hatching plans to use national security operatives to intimidate voters in Akwatia.
According to him, the party has received credible intelligence that operatives are preparing to “hide behind the guise of national security to terrorise some residents and voters in Akwatia.”
The NPP expressed confidence in the Ghana Police Service, which has already pledged to deploy 5,000 officers for the election. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has also stated publicly that the police are capable of managing the process without military support.
“Richard Jakpa [ the newly appointed Director of Operations at the National Security Secretariat] has reportedly been perambulating Akwatia with soldiers, threatening some indigenes and residents to leave the town before the by-election in their own interest.
“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.”
Richard Ahiagbah
Accordingly, the party also appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces to intervene.
Both Sides Trade Accusations
The by-election, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, has become one of the most closely watched contests in Ghana, with tensions steadily rising. Akwatia, long considered a swing seat, has often been the site of fiercely competitive battles between the NPP and NDC.
The NPP doubled down on its allegation that the NDC is planning to destabilize the election by disguising operatives as national security personnel.
Ahiagbah insisted that the intelligence available to the party is “very reliable information and intelligence” and points to deliberate attempts to create an atmosphere of fear among residents.
He added that the assurances given by the IGP make the alleged actions of Jakpa unnecessary and provocative. The Ghana Police Service has reiterated that its 5,000-strong deployment is sufficient to ensure order throughout the process.
Meanwhile, the NDC has dismissed the accusations and responded with warnings of its own.
Earlier the same day, NDC Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande addressed supporters in the constituency, stating that the party would not allow intimidation to mar the election.
“NDC is not a violent party, but on the 2nd of September, if anybody decides to come to the town or the voting grounds with violence, they will come, but they will not know how to leave.”
Mustapha Gbande
Akwatia By-Election Under National Spotlight
National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, also weighed in, voicing confidence that the contest can proceed peacefully provided all parties respect the democratic process.
He urged restraint and responsibility on all sides, calling on both major parties to prioritize the will of the people.
The Ghana Police Service has attempted to calm fears, assuring residents and voters of a secure environment on election day. With the police already committed to a large-scale deployment, the service has reiterated that it does not require military intervention.
Despite these assurances, political rhetoric from both parties has intensified. The NPP continues to press for the President to intervene directly, while the NDC insists it will resist any attempt at voter suppression or intimidation.
The stakes are high in this by-election, not only for the people of Akwatia but also for the national political scene.
The contest has become symbolic of the wider struggle between the ruling NDC and the opposition NPP, with both parties framing the election as a test of Ghana’s democratic resilience.
On the ballot, the NPP’s constituency treasurer, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, will face off against the NDC’s constituency secretary, Bernard Bediako.
Yet, the contest has already expanded beyond personalities, becoming a flashpoint for discussions about security, fairness, and the role of state institutions in electoral politics.
As the date draws near, all eyes will be on Akwatia. The constituency is no stranger to political drama, but this by-election has attracted heightened national attention because of the heated exchanges between the two main parties.
For many observers, the question is whether Ghana’s democratic institutions can withstand the pressure and deliver a peaceful, credible outcome.
For the NPP, the message remains uncompromising: any military involvement will be treated as an act of thuggery. For the NDC, the warning is equally clear—intimidation will not go unanswered.
As the countdown to September 2 continues, Akwatia stands on edge, with the hopes of a nation resting on a fair and peaceful vote.
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