As Ghana prepares for the crucial by-election in Akwatia on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Security Consultant Richard Kumadoe has called on the Ghana Police Service to live up to its mandate of guaranteeing safety and security before, during, and after the polls.
In an interview with the Vautz News on election safety, Mr Kumadoe stressed that the presence of the police must inspire confidence in the electorate and deter any form of misconduct that could undermine the credibility of the process.
He emphasized that the police are not only peacekeepers but also guarantors of order and fairness in an environment where tensions often run high.
“Knowing that good behaviour will be celebrated, bad behaviour will be investigated, and awkward behaviour will be prosecuted in accordance with the law, the role of the Ghana Police in elections is to predominantly create a safer voting environment, provide safety and security assurances to voters, and secure the polling and collation centres”.
Security Consultant Richard Kumadoe
His remarks come at a time when political watchers are already expressing concerns over the high stakes of the Akwatia by-election, an exercise that has historically drawn intense competition between Ghana’s two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
With the seat vacated and both parties determined to claim it, the contest is widely seen as a test of political strength ahead of future national elections. Mr Kumadoe underscored that the Ghana Police must remain impartial and resolute in dealing with individuals or groups intent on causing disruptions.
Ending Electoral Violence
He noted that a failure to address misconduct promptly and decisively could embolden troublemakers and erode public trust in the electoral process. “Election violence idols and culprits of bad behaviour must be arrested and prosecuted,” he said, stressing that accountability should not be compromised under any circumstance.
According to him, policing elections requires more than just physical presence; it demands professionalism, intelligence-led strategies, and strict adherence to the law.
The deployment of officers, he explained, should be guided by the need to reassure voters that they can cast their ballots without fear of intimidation or violence.
He further observed that the security services must demonstrate neutrality and fairness in order to strengthen confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
Election-related violence, although not new to Ghana’s electoral history, continues to pose a challenge, particularly in constituencies considered electoral flashpoints.
Past by-elections, including those in Talensi, Ayawaso West Wuogon, and Chereponi, in addition to the recent Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, were marred by instances of violence, intimidation, and allegations of bias by security agencies.
Vigilance and Professionalism
Mr Kumadoe’s caution, therefore, resonates strongly with calls by civil society and election monitors for heightened vigilance and professionalism by the police. He pointed out that the police’s credibility will depend largely on how they handle provocations, confrontations, or attempts at voter intimidation.
With campaigns in Akwatia entering their final hours, tensions are expected to rise as political parties rally their supporters. The Electoral Commission has assured stakeholders of its preparedness, but many argue that without robust security support, the integrity of the process cannot be fully safeguarded.
Mr Kumadoe’s message underscores that democracy thrives not only on the conduct of politicians and voters but also on the diligence and impartiality of security agencies tasked with protecting the ballot.
It is therefore the expectation that the police will act firmly and fairly, ensuring that the by-election is remembered not for violence or controversy, but for peaceful participation and respect for the will of the people.
READ ALSO: Ghana’s IMF Debt Hits SDR 2.70bn, Trails Only Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Kenya
