Renowned fraud prevention expert and security consultant Richard Kumadoe has heaped glowing praise on the Ghana Police Service for what he described as one of the most outstanding election security operations in recent years.
His commendation follows the peaceful conduct of the Akwatia by-election on September 2, 2025, under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
The by-election, which was fiercely contested between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), concluded without major incident.
While the political outcome has generated headlines, security analysts and observers alike have pointed to the police’s efficient handling of the exercise as a critical factor in ensuring calm and credibility.
In a statement assessing the security arrangements, Mr. Kumadoe described the police operation as a model worthy of study and replication in future elections.
“This is one of the best National Election Police operations in recent years. We are grateful, and we highly commend you,” he remarked. He went further to highlight several aspects of the operation that, in his view, distinguished it from previous exercises. According to him, the police’s approach demonstrated a fine blend of professionalism and strategy.
“Police customer service was great, police public relations were perfect, strategic positioning was superb, tactical manoeuvring was excellent, professionalism was far above board, taking control and being in charge was absolutely brilliant”.
Richard Kumadoe
Quality Assurance
He emphasised that the overall delivery of security on the day reflected “quality assurance and keen, recommendable performance. Ayekoo. Well done, big uncle,” in reference to Dr. Yohuno, under whose stewardship the police executed the security plan.
The significance of this performance is sharpened by the fact that it departs markedly from troubling precedents in Ghana’s electoral history. Just months ago, the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun election was marred by isolated pockets of violence that dented public confidence in the process.
Earlier, the 2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election had also been stained by scenes of brutal violence, which drew widespread condemnation from civil society, political actors, and the international community.
The Ghana Police Service, aware of these past criticisms, appeared determined to project strength, impartiality, and readiness in Akwatia. The visible presence of officers, coupled with what many described as measured engagement with the public, helped reassure voters that the polls would be safe.
Mr. Kumadoe’s commendation is significant given his long-standing role as a consultant on fraud prevention and security governance. Ahead of the crucial by-election, he called on the Ghana Police Service to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
His endorsement of the Akwatia by-election policing, therefore, carries weight, particularly at a time when citizens are demanding higher standards of conduct from law enforcement agencies.
Public Satisfaction
Leading figures of both the NPP and NDC, in addition to some independent election observers, have earlier corroborated his assessment, noting that polling stations were calm, security personnel were approachable, and incidents were swiftly dealt with.
Unlike in previous by-elections where intimidation and sporadic violence marred proceedings, this year’s Akwatia contest concluded with minimal complaints from stakeholders.
The Akwatia by-election, many argue, was the first major test of those reforms—and the results suggest they are yielding positive outcomes.
For Mr. Kumadoe and many citizens, the lesson is clear: election security can be both firm and people-centred. This peaceful by-election will boost Ghana’s democratic reputation and strengthen public faith in state institutions.
With the next general elections just three years away, the lessons drawn from Akwatia could shape broader security planning for nationwide polls.
While challenges persist, the Akwatia example demonstrates that with adequate preparation, clear command, and respect for citizens, the police can deliver operations that safeguard democracy and public confidence.
The police administration is expected to consolidate these gains by institutionalising best practices and training officers to replicate the same level of professionalism in other high-stakes electoral contexts.
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